Joe the Caterpillar

Joe the Caterpillar did not make the news or meet Mr. Obama. He’s just an average guy ambling along in his own world; a little bit lonely, not much to look at and mostly overweight as a result of the daily consequences of his garden variety gluttony. He consumes anything in his path and his path is anything that is in front of him. In his selfish mindset he ruins the lives and leaves of other living things in order to fulfill his own destiny. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is likely to be a byproduct of fallen humanity at its worst. As one of God’s most unassuming inventions; Joe is of a personality that is totally unconcerned about the property of others and is in constant approval of his own importance. Everything appears to be on schedule in his privileged franchise as he is oblivious of the turn of events that is about to overtake him. One day the fat cat moves into a small studio apartment and closes himself off from the world outside and as he begins to deal with his own iniquity, something begins to happen in there. At first it is difficult to understand why God would allow this to happen to him. He was so outgoing, such an industrious consumer and a world traveler. As the troubles are embraced along with the notion that this can only get worse, a season of violent turbulence occurs and a noisome disturbance ensues inside but no one called 911. His absence is a plus for the neighborhood as property values regain an edge for a while. Joe is like a junky going cold turkey as he endures the sweats, the chills, and the pain of withdrawing from the world he once knew and loved. Although some may conclude that a testimony is being formulated, Joe the Caterpillar will be forever changed. After an intense episode the engagement reaches its zenith as the transformation surrenders to a new day and Joe approaches the way out. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9. The door to that cramped apartment opens on a bright resurrection morning as Joe the Caterpillar steps out into a new existence. This one of a kind winged creature emerges with a new attitude and a new heart along with a new look. Eventually the inside begins to look like the outside. Some say that it doesn’t matter about the haircut or the style of clothes but in fact the whole analogy proves otherwise. Since a good tree cannot bear bad fruit it goes without saying that in due time a new appearance shows in a new creature and the world takes notice. For a very short time after this metamorphosis occurs, the now above average Joe almost effortlessly floats from flower to blossom tracking the grace of God on his shoes into the lives of others. (.. your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Eph 6:15 ) He now transfers life giving pollen, spreading influence and making restitution for all those plants that he once ruined with his insatiable appetites. The caterpillar formally known as Joe is to be admired by most and crushed by others. Some of Joe’s associates have found their way into the grill of an automobile or pinned to an exhibit in a collection somewhere but every moment counts and his day is almost done already. Then in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye; it’s over. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Job 14: 1-2 I suppose anyone of us who has come into an understanding about living life to the last measure can identify with Joe the Caterpillar. He was one of us, he is now one of us and all of us who endure until the end will rise above it all to meet the Lord in the air and will join a great cloud of witnesses, the winged wonders and the favored of God. LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Ps 39:4
Blossoms and Blessings, T. LaVigne