Butterfly
A 30-day prayer guide to
Spreading your wings with Christ.
By: Sarah Celeste Bull
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
Dedicated to the strong spiritual women in my life, you have all been the inspiration behind every word I write.
Prologue
Butterflies are exquisite creatures to say the least. They start out as a caterpillar and then emerge from their cocoon dancing through the air with colorful wings and lively personalities. I think this process is fascinating and very relatable to the woman I have become with Christ. I am quite colorful, eccentric at times, unkempt a bit with flowers in my hair, music loud, and a mouth that my foot is firmly planted in most of the time. I love the Lord with all of my heart and that is certain, but finding where I fit in among His children has been a daunting task. I wish I had had someone shining that ever so bright light of a newly washed soul to me when I was in my darkest days. There is nothing neither brighter nor prettier than that irrepressible joy that a new Christian gives off. I want that brilliance all the time. I have a desire to be different and a head that is as strong willed as an ox. I have pulled myself out of the darkness by a tiny thread that over time became an unbreakable steel chain. When I laid my life at the foot of the cross the game was over. I now have the aura of Jesus Christ surrounding me wherever I go. That is the epitome of feeling safe. The idea of writing this book came to me on my wedding day. I have never felt so radiant in my entire life. Not necessarily beauty in its physical form, but I felt so pure on the inside. I had nothing but the love of the Lord flowing through my veins that day. I firmly believe He was holding my hand coming down that isle and gently whispering the words of amazing grace in my ear. How sweet was the sound of His words saving a wretch like me. There was a reason I felt that way and I wanted to share with all of the women in my life that no matter what your past says you can be an enchanting butterfly purified with the grace and love of Jesus. Nothing is more beautiful than a freshly cleansed Christian woman; they are as white as snow.
Purity
I wanted to begin this journey with one of the most important elements of being God’s child. Cleanliness. Purification in all aspects of our life. We are in our most innocent form when we are clean and pure of heart.
Day 1 – Hosting a pure heart
The most basic step of purification is the daily ritual of cleansing. Let us begin with a pure heart. Pray for God to show you where your heart is. That is the one question I have to often ask myself when I am doing something. “Where is your heart at in this Sarah?” Are you doing this because you feel obligated or are you doing it out of the authentic goodness of your heart? It would seem easy to distinguish the difference, but it is not. Prayer is the only way to find out where the truth of your heart lies. So what does a pure heart really entail? Jesus said “Blessed are the pure of heart: For they shall see God.”(Matthew 5:8). Maybe if we are candid and faithful to God we have a pure heart. Being sincere with God is extremely hard at times, but I think when we can accomplish that in our lives everyday we have the foundation of a pure heart. A pure heart is honest and seeks God in everything.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. –Psalms 51:10
Lord, only you can transform me. Give me a new perspective. Show me where the sin is hiding in my heart. Cleanse it for me Lord. Take all that is unkind, selfish, hurtful, manipulative, and unfaithful and change them to be gracious, generous, full of love, and steadfast in faith. I cannot do this with out You God, and I lay my life at your feet. Take what is old in me and renew it with your hands. Breathe your life and words into my spirit. Come into my heart and make it your dwelling place. Give me a new heart and work in me Your love, peace, and joy (Galatians 5:22-23).
