Transparent Butterflies

We've all heard the analogy of the reborn Christian or the regenerated believer and the stages of the butterfly, but have you seen the recent article about the Transparent Butterflies?

Apparently these very rare beautiful creatures also known as Glasswings (or Greta Oto) are only found in remote places in Central America and Mexico. They have short life spans and intricate designs and more sightings have recently been catching the attention of people everywhere.

Why all the buzz? Well, let me say I think they're beautiful. I already have a special affinity for butterflies as my late mother was smitten with them. Most everything she wore had butterflies on it. Aside from that though, there's just something about them, but these transparent Glasswings, --these are special. It's not often that we can see through a living creature so clearly. It's unusual, interesting, eccentric, rare, and it draws the eye. It draws us closer to it.

I began wondering something as I gazed at the photos of the Glasswings. What if we were that transparent? What if others could see clearly through us and see us as we really are. I know on the outset, the idea is a scary one. No one wants anyone to see his flaws. We're so scared of what other people might think. We get caught up so easily in appearances and let's face it, sometimes we package Christianity and advertise it as something that it's not. True faith is transparent.

I wonder what it would be like if we accepted people for who they are with all their faults. I'm convinced more and more that followers of Christ need to become more open and honest sharing flaws, mistakes, troubles, and temptations more with each other. Don't get me wrong I don't believe we all need to be going and confessing our sins to one another en masse.

I just think if the world could see a little less pretense and a little more raw faith, a little more of our struggles; If they could see more of that, I believe they might more deeply understand the gift of grace, and that they may be drawn to us, our faith, and our creator like never before.

Sometimes we fashion our faith into something untouchable and unattainable. True transparency in the believer is a beautiful, fragile thing and so unusual and so rare that when we meet a transparent believer, we want to be around them because they're real.

I remember when I was in college. A group of us guys formed an accountability group. We'd spend late nights talking about all sorts of things, but our purpose was to hold each other accountable. We shared a raw transparency at those times, that honestly, has never been duplicated in my life since. We were drawn to each other because for a time, we were transparent and it was so awesome and encouraging to know that struggles, troubles, and temptations are normal in the life of a Christian. I pray that I can become more transparent. I pray that believers will not fear becoming a little more genuine and truthful to one another and more importantly to a world that needs us to be real for them.

Today I'm thanking God for the Glasswing Butterfly. Isn't it amazing how God teaches us through his creatures? Let's all be more transparent this week.

"But ask the animals and they will teach you. Or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you; or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?" Job 12:7-8.