A Butterfly Experience: My experience of God's love and His message for you

Did you know that God placed value on you, and that is why He sent His Son to be sacrificed for you? You were worth Jesus’ agonizing death when He was “torn and ripped and crushed for you” (Message Bible Isaiah 53:3-6). You were the joy set before Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) when He went to the cross. Even before the cross, in the Garden of Gethsemane, sweating drops like blood as He agonized over what was about to occur, He suffered for you (Luke 22:44). The work of the cross was God’s plan for you. He planned in love for you to be His very own, blameless before Him, holy, because Jesus took your sin, guilt, shame and condemnation (Ephesians 1:4; Isaiah 53:3-6). Upon taking all of this from you, in turn He offered you Himself, His Holy Spirit, so you would be in the image of Jesus Christ (1 John 4:13; Romans 5:5; Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:29), receiving the fullness of His inheritance just like Jesus possessed (Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6).

The enemy, however, wants you to see a much different picture. He wants to steal this blessing from you (John 10:10). He accomplishes this goal by telling you lies, causing you to look at sinful behavior, remembering the past and pointing out your current mistakes. All the while Jesus has dealt with sin forever, for everyone who is willing to accept His gift (Hebrews 7:27; 9:26; 10:12). This was His finished work of the cross. This gift of new life is meant to be experienced by all who believe in Jesus.

God desires that we know His view of us. Scripture confirms not only are we blameless and holy in His sight, but we are special, chosen and royal (1 Peter 2:9). We are His highly favored ones (Luke 1:45; the same Greek words are used in Ephesians 1:6). You may be asking, “Does God really see me like that, especially after the unkind words I spoke, the thoughts I had, the way I treated my spouse and my children yesterday? I really blow it when I lost my temper! And I don’t spend much time with God or reading the Bible.” Yes, God sees you exactly as His highly favored, precious child and your behavior will not change that. Let me share an experience with you.

A few years ago, after being very business performing the work that the Lord had called me to, I was experiencing a time of relative inactivity. I wasn’t doing for Him, but I was spending time in His presence; a time of “Be still and know that I am God”. It was during this time that I began to realize that sin which occurred decades before, seemed to raise up feelings of guilt and condemnation. God’s Word told me that He subdued sin if I accept His sacrifice (Romans 8;2) which I did (and do). I was surprised by these feelings since I had repented and a became a born-again child of God. Never-the-less, I sensed this rising up within me. This seemed like a bad combination; doing nothing for the Lord and having these thoughts and feelings present. But I was right where God wanted me. There was something present in me that He wanted to deal with; that something was separating me from the depth of His love and the fullness of His life within me. He wanted me to know the truth of who I was because of Jesus, and the enormity of His unconditional love for me.

During this time, which was summer, as the Lord gently provided His truth to me, I began to encounter many butterflies. It seemed that they were in abundant supply. It was so noticeable that I asked my grandson who was with me one day, if he noticed their abundance. At seven years old, he did not. As this beautiful display continued, I asked the Lord, “What’s up with all the butterflies?” I commented to Him, “They are beautiful and the delight me. They actually give me great joy!” Not in an audible voice, but in my spirit, I could hear the Lord speak back to me. “That is exactly how I feel about you; you are beautiful, you delight Me and you give Me great joy!” The tears flowed! WOW! Such a gracious, wonderful and loving Father to have these thoughts about me! But the story does not end there.

Months later, during Autumn, I attended a women’s retreat. The first night a leader spoke about butterflies! It was the perfect opportunity for me to share my butterfly experience. They confirmed how wonderful that was for me. The retreat was completed on Sunday. Material reflecting the thoughts of the weekend and a few letters from team leaders and my husband, were given to me in a folder. As the folder was being handed to me, the leader smiled and with great enthusiasm, placed it in my hands with an explanation. A woman had designed the folder, following a two-month period of prayer. God told her what to design and that it was being created to bless someone. The folder displayed a three-dimensional heart, with the words, “God is love” and a butterfly perfectly centered within the heart! Oh my! God wanted to confirm His love in a special and personal way just for me! Tears flowed again! Yes, revelation of His love was abounding within me!

And this message of His love, is meant not just for me, but also for everyone of you! His love for you is profound, personal and wonderful. He thinks you are beautiful; you delight Him and you give Him great joy! Know the extravagance of His love for you! Know this truth! Experience it! Be overwhelmed by it! Allow His love for you to change your life, as revelation of His love renews your mind and informs your thinking!