Shortly before My Joy and I began our trip to Pennsylvania I lost my camera. Jill, my new daughter in law, loaned me her camera which was much like the one I lost. When we came home she was about to leave on a delayed honey-moon, so she needed her camera. I returned it and began to explore other options. I learned that the phone I was using could be updated, the cost would be reasonable and the new phone would also be a camera. To my surprise I now own an Iphone. A grandson informed me that I now have a computer in my hand and is teaching me how to use it.
One of the first pictures I took was of a butterfly resting on our garage floor. . She may have just emerged from a cocoon, or she may have laid all her eggs and was about to die, but I know she had experienced a transformation described as Metamorphosis.
Metamorphosis is a quick transformation built into the nature of many growing, living things. Butterflies and moths are examples of such transformation. Dragon flies are nymphs under water. They crawl up a reed or weed stem, split the case around them and are transformed into adult dragon flies. Beetles go through such transformations. The lowly lady bug beetle is an example.
Transformed from tadpole limited to water to a frog free to leap.
Amphibians such as frogs and toads undergo a slow transformation as they develop from egg to adult. As a boy who grew up near water I watched the slow transformation as tadpoles grew legs, absorbed tails, and learned to live out of water and jump about in a new life.
Proverb posted on my daughter’s refrigerator
Ponder these images as you study the implications of the transformation called for in Romans 12:2. Don’t allow the pressures of this age to shape you, but be transformed. Transformed is the English translation of the Greek word which is the root of metamorphosis.
Two elderly gentleman who were practicing physicians, Glen Miller and Jep Hostetter, have transformed themselves into bloggers. Together they publish a weekly blog on Living Joyfully, Dying Well. I recommend it as a helpful read. It may provide some clues on personal transformation.
Many thanks for the plug. We are getting quite a few hits. Check out my blog for today and see if you have any reflexes left. (Or any regrets for that matter).
I put the links to your blog after reading it today. The reflex test was fun. I turned out to be an armadillo, I’ve had lots of encounters with armadillos in the South. During my lifetime they came from Mexico to Florida, if my memory is correct. Quite a journey for such slow creatures. Should we exchange numbers of hits. I was told that hits include pictures which may give me an advantage. I hoped to encourage my readers to explore your blog as an example of positive transformation. I hope we three can avoid ever becoming grouchy old men.