Learning from the Monarch

by Eva Sham

One morning, while waiting for the traffic lights to change, I was captivated and spellbound by a few monarch butterflies dancing high above me in the open space of the quiet intersection. I paused for a few moments to enjoy that rare sight. It was a rare sight because the monarch butterflies are an endangered species. Their young (or caterpillars) feed on milkweed leaves. A variety of wildflowers provide nectar for them as they migrate south to their winter habitat in Mexico and California. But their survival is threatened because of at least three reasons. First, there is a loss of their sources of food due to pesticide use, urbanization, and drought. Second, their winter homes in Mexico and California are being threatened by deforestation and land degradation. Third, extreme weather conditions (or the effects of climate change) kill them. They are dependent on the actions of human beings to protect them from any drastic decrease in population and even extinction. At the same time, we depend on them and other pollinators to enable 7

all plants to flourish and to provide us with food. In other words, human beings and insect pollinators are interdependent on one another while we live together on this planet earth. Even though it is for just a short period of time, the beauty of the monarch butterfly brings us great joy. However, its shortlived splendour (the longest time it can live is less than a year) is but a shadow of the beauty of God’s majesty and holiness. Furthermore, the ultimate purpose for which the monarch butterfly is created is the glory of God. I suggest that the monarch butterfly has a twofold “mission” in glorifying God. Its beauty proclaims the magnificent creative power of its Creator. Second, its work as an insect pollinator demonstrates God’s love and care for all his creatures (humans and non-humans) through creaturely interdependence within the web of life. Thus, in its unique way, the monarch butterfly glorifies God like the mountains and the hills which “burst into song” of praise and the trees which “clap their hands” (Is. 55:12) as they joyfully respond to the Lord of all creation. I am learning from the monarch butterfly to worship our Triune Creator in a way that I am created to glorify him. Anything that is created can become the false object of our worship. Therefore, we must seek God’s help to be faithful in worship within the community of God’s people. The annual flights of groups of monarch butterflies to their winter homes may be viewed as a celebration of their Creator who adorns them with the vibrant colours of orange, black, and white. I am also learning−−as a member of Spring’s Community Garden team−−to participate in what God is doing to care for his entire creation, humans and nonhumans. While you reflect upon the beauty of God’s holiness and his works of creation, providence, and redemption, may you be encouraged to participate in the ways that God is calling you to glorify and serve him.

Note: For more information about the monarch butterfly, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/ species-risk-education-centre/fact-sheets/monarch-butterfly.html