2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified Bible)… “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”

One Sunday afternoon, my wife and I were invited to have lunch with the widowed ladies of our new church family. They were kind and generous; we sat and talked at a long table in the retirement community cafe. We learned about their stories, their faithful lives of service to their families, to the church, and the greater Kingdom work of God. Many had served in a variety of ways in their churches, from teaching Sunday school to leading worship and playing the piano. Many had served on the mission field in faraway places, moving their families to another culture to share the love of Jesus with those in need. I was in awe; we were humbled by their grace, their curiosity about life, and their desire to get to know us, not in a suspicious way, but in a genuine way as one used to do when a new family moved into the neighborhood.

As the conversation slowly faded, and it was evident that it might be time for an afternoon nap, Lorraine invited all of us to visit her cottage as she was preparing to release butterflies that she had been raising. She commented that she did not like to release as a lone witness, but thought it was valuable to have others around to witness their flight into freedom. We reluctantly agreed; we were tired too. But I was not prepared for the rush of emotions that this simple act of freedom would cause in my soul. I was unaware that you could raise butterflies from larvae to full-grown insects. (Learn more about butterflies by clicking HERE)

I was also captivated by Lorraine’s request to have witnesses to the event. She had done the work of caring for them, and now she wanted to share the thrill of releasing the butterflies with her community. It took a bit of coaxing to assist the two butterflies to leave their temporary home. With a gentle touch, she ushered them out into the hot summer day. They took flight into the blue, cloudy sky. Her joy was complete, and you could see it all over her face. I held back the tears and smiled, following their fluttering flight over the building, disappearing into the trees. They didn’t need encouragement or a lesson on how to fly; they were meant for this moment. We were meant to witness it.

Imagine the joy of our heavenly Father, Creator of all life, the Lord of heaven and earth, experiences when His children find freedom from hurts, addictions, and sinful, selfish ways in the love and grace of Jesus. You were meant to find freedom, to experience joy, and today is the day you can be set free from the things in this life that hold you down or hold you back. May you experience the presence of Jesus, and may you accept His offer of new life given to you because of His unconditional love for you.