Parallels to the Christian Experience

Metamorphosis is a biological process by which a creature physically develops after birth, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the creature's form or structure through cell growth and differentiation. Some creatures undergo metamorphosis, which is usually (but not always) accompanied by a change of habitat or behavior. To a follower of Jesus this should sound familiar. Insects which undergo this transformation pass through a larval stage, then enter an inactive state called pupa, or chrysalis, and finally emerge as adults. While inside the pupa, the insect will excrete digestive juices, to destroy much of the larva's body, leaving a few cells intact. The remaining cells will begin the growth of the adult, using the nutrients from the broken down larva. Similarly 1 Cor. 15:50-52 says “I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” The journey we’re on as followers of Jesus will include suffering at times, like the cell death talked about above, but in the end the resultant glory will be worth it all. On a smaller scale we’ve all seen the typical “Before and After” pictures of remarkable changes in body and health composition of people losing large amounts of weight and getting in shape. Change can be uncomfortable and painful but at the same time change can be a necessity and beautiful. Here’s a workout that will help morph your body.