Читать книгу Beyond the Horizon - Harry A. Renfree - Страница 71

March 05

Someone has said, “No one helps a caterpillar become a butterfly.” Indeed, if you try to help, the result may be a badly injured butterfly . . . or none at all. God has so designed the caterpillar that it knows instinctively when it must spin a cocoon. Within that cocoon, the caterpillar, through the remarkable processes of nature, turns into a beautiful butterfly, bearing no resemblance to the creepy, crawly creature we all love to hate.

We humans don’t do very well when, as it were, we make our own cocoons and climb in. Some like cocoons because they have the whole place to themselves. We have no need to talk to others. We have no need for outside relationships. Sometimes this withdrawal is caused by some pain or hurt we’ve received, but we soon find that the pain of loneliness is much greater.

We need relationships, friends with whom we can laugh . . . and cry. When we have the courage to break out of the cocoon, our cocoon, and accept the fact that in life we have sorrow and pain as well as the feelings of comfort and well–being, we’ll be able to face the future well.

God is within and surrounding us with His love and care—if we only ask.

The prophet Isaiah reveals a marvelous promise from the Heavenly Father to those facing difficulties in life and feeling perhaps that they should withdraw into a cocoon. “Fear not, [God promises], for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God” (Isaiah 43:1b–3a).

We have the promises of God. Trust Him. Don’t bother about cocoons.