Break out of the Shell!

By: Cathy Spangler

Have you ever seen a locust shell? I’ve been seeing lots of them lately. They fascinate me because they look like a bug, and they can even cling to a tree for a long time. But they are empty. When a young locust grows into an adult, it must break out and shed its outside shell. It becomes a new creature – one with wings!

2 Corinthians 5:17 talks about us being “new creatures” in Christ Jesus. Old things have passed away, and the new has come. Being new is what matters (Galatians 6:15). Jesus said that new wine needs new wineskins because, otherwise, it will burst the old skins (Mark 2:22).

Like locusts, we need to “come out” of our old ways of doing and being to grow into maturity as believers. Deciding to stay in our old shell/skin/life will bring spiritual death. Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14 to forget or let go of all that is past and press on. Growing in your faith means letting go of old ways and letting God show you new revelations. Jeremiah 33:3 urges us:
“Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Forget the former things; do not cling to the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

These locust shells are reminding me to not be afraid to break out and be a “new creature,” even at my age.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve had to change and adapt to new things. From a long career in teaching, I had to find a new definition of “me” in retirement. When my husband passed, I had to adapt to a solo lifestyle. With every change, I have had to let go and press on. Spiritually, as I have learned and grown in my relationship with Jesus and in knowledge of his Word, God has required more faith on my part, more surrender, more obedience, and more outreach, too. It’s been an uphill trip, but at the “scenic points” of my journey I get to enjoy a new view and He equips me for the next steps if I let go and press on.

We never stop growing. God wants to renew his creating work in us at every stage. So, be like a locust! Break free of that old shell and step out into the new!