Gentle Joy Photography: A New Look At Butterflies...

Thursday, October 2, 2014

A New Look At Butterflies...

We seem to be seeing many butterflies and moths as we are in the early days of fall. There are many different kinds to enjoy. Some are so fast in their flower visitations that I have been unable to capture a photograph of them. Some of these butterflies are preparing for migrations. Whatever they are doing, they won't be here for long as cold weather is fast approaching.

The coloring of a butterfly has a specific purpose... and so does the design. Some butterflies have designs that look like an eye of a predator and will protect the butterfly from its own predators. Other designs can help it to blend in. We may not even know the reason for some design or color, but we can be sure that there is one.

The variations are wonderfully complex, especially considering the short life of a butterfly. Some only live in the adult stage of a butterfly for a week. Others can live longer. Regardless, they are very short lived compared to other creations of God... such as people, parrots, turtles and more.

Since these brilliantly beautiful creatures will only live a short time, it is astounding that God has created them to be so colorful, so intricate, so beautiful.

I know if I were making something that would only last days or weeks, I would be tempted to cut some corners and to not be quite as careful as I would be with something that will last longer. I am so glad that God deliberately designs His creation without allowing time constraints to limit his creativity.

We tend to just view the finished product... "Oh, look at the yellow butterfly." "There's an orange one." But each part of the butterfly is quite amazing... from the scales that cover the wings or the tiny hairs that are barely visible ...to the proboscis that is specially made to curl up or stretch out to reach the nectar the butterfly drinks through the tube.

I have seen pictures of different butterfly wings under a microscope... and it is even more amazing than our usual glimpse of the creature. The orderly rows of color... or of microscopically thin transparent "scales"... some of which reflect light, giving a glow to the butterfly are simply amazing.

Then there is the whole transformation process... which no man can reproduce. It is all breathtaking and magnificent. This is all done by God, the Creator of the Universe, who planned out every little detail... on every little or big creature. He makes no mistakes and His ways are perfect.

So... why are we tempted to not trust Him? Why do we doubt His plan for our lives? Do we assume that the God who so meticulously created the lowly butterfly, would "mess up" when He created us? That He would overlook some important detail in our life? That He would forget to consider some fact and our lives would be ruined forever?

He is a God to be trusted... to be praised.... to be glorified. Are we doing that? He gives us so many opportunities to see the glory of His creation. May we be drawn to a closer walk with Him as we think about His attention to every detail... big or small... in a butterfly... or in our own life.