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Luna moths are spectacular.
Like North America’s other giant silk moths, they’re huge. Their wingspans can reach seven inches.
With lime green wings, fuzzy white bodies, and dramatically-colored eyespots (an apparent means of confusing potential predators), they definitely stand out. They’re also night fliers – hence the name “luna” and their association with the moon. While two dozen butterflies have appeared on first class United States postage stamps, lunas are still the only moths to be so honored.
These delicate creatures are fairly common. But consider yourself lucky if you see one. They don’t last very long.
The winged stage of a luna moth’s life lasts only about seven days. While butterflies have mouth parts, lunas – like most other fully grown moths – are no longer equipped with mouths and stomachs. They cannot eat or drink, relying entirely on the energy they stored up as ravenous caterpillars.
So what does a luna moth do during those seven precious days?
It searches desperately for a mate. Since MothMatch.com is still on the drawing board, female lunas – who emerge from their cocoons carrying 200-400 unfertilized eggs – release volatile pheromones which males can detect at a distance of several miles.
After mating and egg-laying, all the chapters in a luna moth’s story have been written. It’s a beautiful, dramatic, but exceedingly short life.
Entomologists (insect specialists) describe the life stages of moths and butterflies as metamorphosis – a Greek word that means “change of form.” Lunas morph from eggs to larvae to pupae to green-winged beauties.
Followers of Jesus get to experience metamorphosis as well. But our final stage definitely lasts longer than seven days.
On the pages of the New Testament we meet a pair of Greek words, each of which describes an aspect of shape or form: schema and morphe.
Schema, from which we get the word “schematic,” represents the outer appearance. Your schema changes every day. Your fingernails and your hair are just a little bit longer than this time yesterday, and it’s likely that you’re not wearing yesterday’s wardrobe, either.
Our culture, unfortunately, is obsessed with schematic impression management. If you don’t like your body shape, buy a gym membership. If you’re uneasy about your smile, try whitening strips. If you want to dazzle the neighbors, let them see you sitting behind the wheel of a new convertible.
Most of us experienced middle school and high school as an ongoing schematic trial by fire. Should we look cool, dress cool, and try to sit at the lunch table with the coolest kids, or refuse to play the game?
If the secular approach to life concerns one’s outward form, the spiritual journey is all about morphe. Your morphe represents your true identity and your inner self. Your schema may be in continual flux, but there’s something about you that is unmistakably the Real You – something that an old acquaintance will recognize when you bump into each other on the street, even after not seeing each other for decades.
Schematic change is inevitable and often superficial. But the transformation of one’s morphe – “metamorphosis” – is a monumentally big deal. It is God’s own work within our hearts.
Change from the inside-out represents our hope of rebirth, of becoming new people, of growing deeper in the character of Christ.
Schema and morphe come face to face in a famous Bible verse. “Do not conform [syschematizethe] to the pattern of this world, but be transformed [metamorphousthe] by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) J.P. Phillips provided this memorable translation: “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within.”
You can spend the last few weeks of summer trying to look better, conforming to the crowd, aiming to please the people you presume are always watching and judging.
Or you can opt for metamorphosis and let God have at you – allowing the Spirit to renew your mind through ongoing engagement with the Bible’s unique presentation of the reality of Jesus.
Luna moths get to revel in the joy of transformation for just one week.
We, on the other hand, get to know God and enjoy him forever.