Transformation

When I went out to get the mail yesterday, I turned back and let it be for a while.  A cicada had just come out of his shell on the mailbox door, and was waiting for his new shell and wings to harden.  I decided not to interrupt him.

His new body was somewhat larger than the shell next to him; and then there were those long wings!  How did all that manage to fit inside that shell!  Well, of course the time came when that shell was too small and he just had to leave it behind, and good riddance, I say!  Now he can fly from tree to tree!  Now he can sing with the other cicadas in the warm summer afternoons!  He'll never go back to the confines of that shell anymore!

Not like some humans who, in the wake of their transformations seem to find the process frightening rather than freeing and want to take comfort by crawling back into a shell that no longer fits.  Oh, no!  What shall we do!  Instead of getting rid of the shell completely, it's only too common to tuck the wings in tighter, pull our spiritual tummies in, suck up our newfound growth, and try to cram ourselves back in to the shell we used to occupy.  Or perhaps we just give up and rip the wings off completely, and never know the joy of flying. 

And sometimes there are others who knew us "back in the shell", who can't cope with the transformed us, who would be much more comfortable if they could squeeze us back into our formerly manageable state, cut off the wings, and deal with us as we used to be. 

Perhaps they're saying,  What, you've suddenly become aware of how much God loves you?  What, you've suddently realized how delighted Jesus is with you?  What, you've suddenly given up your lifelong pursuit of my approval?  I'm not sure I like this transformation that is happening to you!  I think I liked you better in your old shell.  Here, let me help you back into it.

But I say, quick, cicadas!  Spread those wings!  Fly up into the trees!  Sing your loud praises to the loving Father who has transformed you to be something greater than even you ever thought possible of yourself!  And stick your tongues out at the ones who prefer your old shell to your new wings.