The Euthanasia Of A Butterfly
Symbols are made to represent an idea, to communicate a meaning. When we choose an avatar it generally recalls something that we want to be identified with. Many symbols will define our material status; others could be by our spiritual knowledge and some just for the fun of it. I think that when we choose a symbol it is because there is something which identifies us. For this purpose I have selected a butterfly.
Words give meaning to feelings. They change when read in context and they express not only what the writer wants, but also what the reader’s wisdom, capacity and experiences allow. Instead of death I prefer to use the term euthanasia, since it is a voluntary death I gave to myself, represented with a butterfly.
Have you been dead?
I love life even when I have ups and downs. I see so much suffering and pain not only in me, but in others. To quit living is not really an option because those who take their life away submit to eternal pain.
Perhaps a reader right now that proclaims atheism will say “well I do not believe in God, nor in hell”… to those I ask “Have you been dead?"
Life cycle
Life
Life is a continual struggle and that is not bad; it not necessarily defines it as good either…it is simply “life’s property”. Our own performance, decisions, attitudes and ways of living is what makes that struggle seem good or bad. Romans 12:2 says:
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Matthew 7:13 says:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."
So then life is not only about what we are receiving from the now...the today... it also depends on what we will have in the future. Meditate in the life cycle of a butterfly, we pass through a similar cycle day by day; stage by stage...we are part of this wonderful nature that surrounds us, reason enough to identify with it. Reason enough to learn from it.
The incredible story of the Monarch butterfly
Spiritual death to be renewed
I know about God since an early age because of my mother’s life lessons. Day by day I learn more from our Creator, Lord and Savior. The Bible is the Holy word of God inspired to men (which did His will) for us to live by it. Everything we need to know for living this life is right there.
God gave us free will, therefore I gave a spiritual death by a spiritual euthanasia to my life, because I said like David in Psalm 51:10:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."
I also said like in Galatians 2:20:
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
God's Will For Us
To know God's will, you need to have faith and seek his presence everyday. We are all different just like the butterflies that are about 17,500 species around the world; however, there is only one God that knows our differences giving us the same message of His will for us.
I wrote 10 verses of God's will for us using some butterfly pictures from:10 most Colorful Butterflies and Mariposas de colores. I hope you enjoy, reflect, and understand the euthanasia which I am talking about.
Jeremiah 29:11
1 Timothy 2:3-4
Luke 9:3
Psalm 119-105
James 1:5
John 16:13
Proverbs 12:15
Isaiah 32:17
1 Corinthians 10:31
Philippians 1:3
My hope
Psalm 90
© 2012 Maria Magdalena Ruiz O'Farrill
Comments
AUTHORThebrowneyedgirl, thanks. Blesses back to you!
I always enjoy reading your post.. God Bless you LastHeart!
- AUTHOR
My lovely sister...how sad to read your words. I am sorry you are offended, but I still say you do not understand.
NO SUCH CUSTOMS??? Hah!!!!
Too bad you insist on portraying me as a troublemaker, a 'contentious' person, an ignorant in God's word... and a fool who didn't understand your hub. There’s no need to talk to you out of the Hubs... I’m sure it’s not the usual way to communicate with hubbers with whom you do not agree. Besides, how would it change anything if I spoke to you in private? What you said is posted for everyone to read... I did not offend you in any way and I’m not here to cause controversy. The choices you made to me in reference to the Bible, were very poignant and totally irrelevant. You’ve treated me unfairly, categorizing me as a person lacking in knowledge and capacities to understand your hub (which, by the way, was not so complicated a 4th grader couldn’t understand!), so I have decided never again comment none of your hubs.
Oh, keep using 'EUTHANASIA' in reference to voluntary death. It's your choice of words and you can change its meaning, if you like. After all, it’s your hub… your cozy home where you can rearrange things to please your very own taste. I would have used 'SUICIDE'... and 'METAMORPHOSIS' is just too scientific to suggest the transfiguration in your analogy of the butterfly and your own Christian rebirth.
Sorry, kiddo... but you will miss my comments. Goodbye... may your 'TRANSFORMATION' be complete!
- AUTHOR
Dear sis, my purpose is to share God's word. I still say you did not understand my hub. You know my phone number and where I live and work.
"But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God's assemblies." (1 Corinthians 11:16)
Your reply to me only confirms one thing: you're only interested in receiving appraisals for your hubs... not debate. You've made me feel stupid and incapable of understanding parables and holy messages. I re-read your hub and my answer, and I've not found one single reason for thinking I was not on the right track. Oh, did you not mention Euthanasia as a voluntary death you gave to your butterfly avatar aka your past spiritual self? Am I one of "those" mentioned in Matthews 13:13 because I tried to define the difference between SUICIDE, EUTHANASIA and METAMORPHOSIS... or because I didn't say how much I liked your pretty butterfly pics and hub? You will probably disapprove of this reply and more likely, delete it... but at least, not before those 'blessed' do get to read it, including yourself, dear kid sister.
- AUTHOR
Betty you did not read well this hub or did not understand it. Actually your comment reminds me of Matthew 13:13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand."
Rsusan your comment remind me of Matthew 13:16“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. 17“For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
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I absolutely love what you did with the butterflies and the verses, Lastheart. So beautiful. What a Creator we have and what a privilege to have His Word to live by every minute of every day.
I understand your symbolisms, but I can't relate the term EUTHANASIA with the kind of death you've chosen for your butterfly avatar, describing your 'rebirth' in Christ. As I understand, voluntary death is SUICIDE: the act of deliberately killing yourself. Ending your existence by your own hand, not approved by God’s laws. EUTHANASIA is defined as painless killing to relieve suffering: the act or practice of killing somebody who has an incurable illness or injury, or allowing or assisting that person to die. Some call it the ‘COMPASSIONATE’ death. By the way, Euthanasia is illegal in most countries.
As I see it, if you're a butterfly, you've already gone through a transformation: METAMORPHOSIS. In zoology, it's the change in animal form: a complete or marked change in the form of an animal as it develops into an adult, for example, the change from tadpole to frog or, in your case, from caterpillar to butterfly. This very marked transformation can be of physical form, structure or substance; emotional in appearance, character, or condition; or spiritual, supposed supernatural transformation (this is your transformation and all who have accepted Christ as their Savior).
Have you really killed the butterfly in you or were you a caterpillar to begin with? Maybe you're going through cocoon stages... building up enough strength to emerge into a beautiful butterfly, which is God's intention for all us caterpillars. When a butterfly dies… it really does. It shriver and dries up! It no longer moves, does not fly over flowers collecting pollen… does not amazes us with its diversities in forms and colors… does not fill our hearts in awe of the beauty of God’s creations.
Don’t kill the butterfly, Lastheart! Expand your wings… fly over our gardens… visit us with your charm and magnificence… flap your wings and sit on my window sill. For that, I will be forever grateful. God bless.
- AUTHOR
Ohhh froggy I found the meaning of frog...is that your symbol definition?
Another very inspired hub. Thanks for following the Holy Spirit you beautiful butterfly!
Gonna share!
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