By Pastor Mark Woodward
Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith
Churches (and Lenora)
All around us there are signs of new life, recreation and God’s amazing presence. Recently I was reading a story in the “Minnesota Volunteer Magazine. “The story was about Monarch butterflies and the intricate process of life that unfolds in their development. The article written by Christine Petersen describes the amazing cycle of life experienced by monarch butterflies going from egg to larva to pupa before becoming a winged adult butterfly. It is really incredible to consider how the monarch butterfly migrates from Minnesota all the way to Mexico and California. Some monarch butterflies have been tagged and tracked for over 1,750 miles in their migratory journeys.
In the Christian Church, the butterfly has long been a symbol for resurrection, new life and the beauty of God’s creation. Not only is the butterfly a magnificent creature, this colorful insect is tenacious, determined and displays remarkable endurance. In addition, butterflies are beautiful, colorful, delicate and graceful. I love looking at butterflies in the summertime. Watching them fly can be quite entertaining and kind of renewing to watch them flutter gracefully on a summer’s day.
In our church yards we are intentional about preserving some of the milkweed plants that are essential in the early feeding of the Monarch butterfly. Out on the Ponderosa I try very hard to avoid mowing off milkweed plants and it has been a blessing to watch as young butterflies emerge on the stems of the milkweed plants. When she worked here, Megan Dahl and her daughter Nora would sometimes go out in the church yard and find monarch eggs on milkweed plants and then watch as they grew … and it was inspiring to watch as the eggs eventually became beautiful butterflies.
There is so much beauty and wonder all around us. God is an awesome creator of life. It becomes very apparent that there is a definite reason that the butterfly is an inspiring symbol and reminder of resurrection and our new life in Jesus Christ. So this summer when we are out and about camping, picnicking, playing games, fishing, hiking or just being outdoors, take some time and if you see a butterfly remember that Jesus is alive and that this butterfly is an ongoing reminder of our new life in Jesus Christ. (… and if you see some milkweed plants don’t mow them off or pull them out as they are very essential in the new life of monarch butterflies.)
I hope you have enjoyed a tremendous summer … taking time to enjoy the beauty and wonder of God’s creation all around us! Our God is an awesome God! I look forward to seeing you in church; please tell me about your experiences this summer and all that God is doing in your life … and if you see some butterflies remember they are reminding us of the power of the resurrection and our New Life in Jesus Christ!
Your friend,
Mark Woodward
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