Transformation: Seth Harper
“Oftentimes as believers, we want this metamorphosis, this transformation, to take place overnight”
A few years ago, I decided to try to learn firsthand what the word Kafkaesque meant. To embark on this endeavor, I ordered an English translation of Franz Kafka’s 1915 work, The Metamorphosis. Spoiler alert: in this novella, the protagonist, Gregor, awakes to find himself to have transformed overnight into what the audience can only assume is a grotesque insect-human chimera. The story unfolds as he agonizes over his new state of life and his family rejects him out of horror. He eventually comes to accept his state, but shortly dies thereafter.
Metamorphosis: (in an insect or amphibian) the process of transformation
from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.
Upon further analysis, the true metamorphosis that takes place in Kafka’s iconic work is not Gregor’s overnight transformation into a bug, but his sister’s emotional transformation, having lived through the trauma of her brother’s plight and coming to accept life without her now-deceased sibling. It’s quietly profound. (If you’ve read the book, please disregard the fact that Gregor’s family members are actually terrible to him through his experience, it’ll ruin the picture).
In Romans 12, Paul exhorts Christians to, “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The Greek word behind “transformed” is actually “metamorphoō,” the same word we get the English “metamorphosis” from.
Oftentimes as believers, we want this metamorphosis, this transformation, to take place overnight. However, biblically, the work that God does in our inner man is a slow burn. As it would seem, when we try to rush God’s work, we typically find ourselves, somewhat ironically, in a situation similar to Gregor’s: despair. Our attempts at turning the fiery trial that is to try us (1 Pet 4:12) into a short session in the microwave leave us frustrated at ourselves and, perhaps more devastatingly, at God.
“The same word of God that was sufficient to save our souls from the fires of God’s judgment is sufficient to see us through the fires of God’s refinement”
When we hear the word metamorphosis, we think of a caterpillar turning into a moth/butterfly. This is an incredibly drastic transformation, yet few of us probably even realize what happens in this process. When a larva enters into its chrysalis phase, it literally liquifies. This tiny creature takes all the energy from all the food it ate and then digests itself in the cocoon, pretty much turning itself entirely into goo. Over time (1-2 weeks), the biological workings within that goo slowly turn into legs, eyes, and even wings. Eventually, a creature, entirely different from the one that entered the chrysalis, will use those new wings to fly off. This process of metamorphosis provides us an incredible picture of the purpose trials serve in the life of a Christian.
This picture gives us a few questions to consider as followers of Jesus when we face trials:
1. Have I consumed enough of God’s word to get me through the trial before me?
James chapter 1 provides an incredible framework for trials and temptations in the life of believers. Verse 12 talks about those that endure temptation, how they receive the crown of life, and then describes those individuals as “them that love [God].” It’s no surprise that just a few verses later, a command is given “to receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” As Christians, the same word of God that was sufficient to save our souls from the fires of God’s judgment is sufficient to see us through the fires of God’s refinement.
“God’s process of sanctification is often referred to as a refining work in scripture”
Those that love God love His word. It is impossible to love God without loving his word (John 14:21). When the winds of trial come, they come to see just how deep our roots have grown toward the rivers of water (Psa 1, Matt 13:21).
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
2. Am I willing to truly be refined by God’s holy fires?
God’s process of sanctification is often referred to as a refining work in scripture. This is a metallurgy term for the purification of metals. Very similar to the chrysalis stage of a caterpillar, when a precious metal is refined, it is liquified, allowing all the impurities within it known as dross to rise to the top, where they are scraped off. Job in his great trials alludes to this process.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
“Hardship conforms us to our savior”
Why, might you ask, does a loving God allow his children to go through such hardship? The answer lies in the fact that hardship conforms us to our savior. In fact, one of the ways we know that we are truly God’s children is the very fact that we face the hardship of God’s chastening (Heb 12:5-11). When we are tried, the impurities within us — sin patterns ingrained long ago — arise through the hardship, and are ideally yielded to God through prayerful repentance. We can never truly experience the power of Christ’s resurrection without meeting with him in the fellowship of his suffering (Phil 3:10).
So then our question in trials should not be “why?” but rather “what?” As comfort-loving Americans, the moment we are faced with affliction, we turn to God and ask “Why would you let this happen to me?” in the hope that he will change his mind and allow us to fast-forward to the end (with little, if any, transformation). However the question we ought to ask is “What are you trying to teach me that I might be more like Christ?”.
James 1:2-5 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
“In time, His love will abound in and through you: a brilliant transformation, a metamorphosis”
Christian, I may not know you, I may not know what you’re going through, but I do know that God loves you as his child and is using every single circumstance of your life, as excruciating as they may seem, for your good, to transform you from the inside out, conforming you to the image of Jesus Christ. If you are in a trial right now, as painful as it may seem, count it all joy and take comfort in the fact that your one job in this season is simply to love God. Cherish His promises. Cry out to Him. Trust Him. Draw nigh to Him. Serve Him. In time, His love will abound in and through you: a brilliant transformation, a metamorphosis.
Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Seth Harper is a member of Midtown Baptist Temple and is a part of C&YA. He leads Temple Worship as well as a UMKC men’s Bible study.
