Butterfly in a Glass Jar

I remember a time when my son (Devan) and I found a caterpillar on my car tire. Devan was excited so immediately I thought to get a jar and allow him to see the transformation of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. We got a glass jar and placed the caterpillar in it. Gradually, we added tall sticks so that it could crawl up and leaves so that it could eat. We found a particular leaf that it liked and we watched in amazement to see it actually chomping on the leaves. Throughout the day(s) we would refresh its food supply with fresh leaves. Then one day, I knew the caterpillar needed some water but I didn’t want to give it any tap water. At that moment, I looked outside and noticed it was sprinkling. Anticipating seeing the caterpillar drink water, I picked a fresh leaf that had water droplets on it and placed it gently in the jar. The caterpillar was currently trying to get out of the jar but when we placed the leaf in the jar, he fell and landed in the water puddle…and began to drink! My mother, looking at our new found friend, “mentioned” that we needed to have the caterpillar outside. I told her that, “its ok this time. We know caterpillars are made to be outside but I want Devan to see the transformation.”

Friend, some of you may currently feel like a caterpillar in a glass jar. You can look out but you can’t get out. It feels like everyone around you is being blessed and that your dreams aren’t going to come to pass—but let me encourage you by saying God is still in control. You see, sometimes we are “captured” so that God can get the full glory. People are watching your transformation and God has also allowed you to be captured for your own good. (Remember that I found the caterpillar on my car tire). But while in this jar….God is faithful to provide fresh food and water for you….to take care of your needs….to look out for your best interest. Maybe you have even tried to climb out your jar….reaching a little bit of success only to fall back in. Relax!! You think you have fallen but the truth of the matter is that while climbing….you never really left the jar…you are still in the same place as from the beginning: in a glass jar…waiting till your transformation takes place so that your father may release you!

Be encouraged to know that God has chosen you….to keep you….to protect you….Continue to glorify and lift up His name! Continue to seek and trust him; waiting on Him! Even when things seem like they can’t get any worse….God is still in the picture as He was with Job (God told Satan he could do anything but kill Job) or when He was in the process of Jesus (He was buried for 3 days). Know that after God is finished “perfecting you”…..you’ll come out more beautiful than when you entered this period!!


“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you
Will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6