We are fast approaching the end of 2024. We have seen so much happen in our world in the past 4 years, but I sense such hope arising in our nation. What looked like dome and gloom—suddenly we can see some rays of sunshine on the horizon.

Have you felt as though you have been in a fight just to survive these past 4 years? I have. It has been difficult to dream, to believe that there is something worth pressing toward. I don’t think that it was hopelessness but that it was difficult to find my footing in the midst of such great change around us.

I want to encourage you. As we approach 2025, now is the time to be fruit inspector of your life. What does that mean? We don’t have to be in a fight or flight battle just to survive through difficult times. Something has shifted, and it is as though every promise is now coming into fulfillment (Ezekial 2:28). Take the time to look at what you are investing in. What is producing fruit and what is not. What is not can’t go with you in this next season.

Remember learning about the process of a butterfly? They go through a complete metamorphosis. There is a part of the process called PUPA. This is when the caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly.

They don’t look to pretty during this metamorphis. There are actuallly 4 stages to this process. The first is that of the eggs laid by the butterfly. The eggs hatch by themselves, revealing small caterpillars; the second stage. The caterpillars eat and eat. As they grow, they undergo four to five in-stars. This is where they molt and shed their old skin to become bigger caterpillars.

The third step is that of the pupa. The caterpillar’s final molting reveals a chrysalis, a hard outer shell. This creates a protected space for transformation to a butterfly. During times of transition you may find yourself in a protective shell—that is for your protection as you go through the process yourself of being transformed. One the other side is something beautiful but you have to shed that protective shell you are in to break free into something new. If a butterfly doesn't emerge during this time of being transformed he will likely die because it won't have the strength to fly.  

I believe we as a nation are about to see great transformation. What we were truly created by God for. That means YOU are going through a great transformation. There will be struggle, there will be uncertainty but what is coming on the other side will be complete transformation into something beautiful.

Don’t be afraid of the process. There was a time in my life when I went through a great struggle. It took years of my life and lots of painful process to enter into something new. I hated change. I fought change. But that fear of change made me stuck in the process. Change is inevitable but we don’t have to fight what should come naturally. The fear comes from not being able to control the process. As a child of God we don’t have to control it. We just have to lean into it and allow God to shape and mold us into His image. We do that by simply cooperating with the change. He is a good Father and will lead you through that metamorphosis into a beautiful image of His creation.

As things are shifting—relax and enjoy the process. Trust your Father! What is coming on the other side is beautiful. Change is good. Allow God to remove somethings in your life as he shapes and molds you into His image.

2 Corinthians 3:18 - And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is} the Spirit.

I am ready to see that change into something beautiful! I am tired of the protective shell I have been living in and am ready to shed that to reveal something glorious. God is not going to remove the good things he has placed in your life. He is only going to prune the things that are holding you back. Once that is removed you will see that you can trust your Father to move you into a new place where all the promises of God are realized.

Those dreams in your life are there from God. Allow him to transform you so you can hold what is coming. Move into the change, remove the hard shell, and let God bring you into a large place where you can expand your wings to their fullest. Imagine, caterpillars can’t fly but they are transformed into beautiful butterflies that are FREE to go anywhere. They are not limited by their surroundings. It’s time to shed somethings. It’s time to be transformed and come into that larger place where we are free to SOAR.

Bless you in the process! It is going to be glorious!

Tammy