“Hi, my name is Teresa and I AM ____hmmmmm_____.” I AM one of those people who would rather not be in the spotlight. It makes me uncomfortable. I look at those people who can talk to strangers, speak in public, and smile during awkward moments—and I AM in awe. Literally.
To me, those people are butterflies. I am a moth.
- They are comfortable. I AM self-conscious.
- They are graceful. I AM clumsy.
- They are special. I AM…me.
THEY are butterflies; I AM a moth.
And then…God showed me something very special. He created the butterfly and the moth with care. Neither winged creature is lacking anything for its existence. Did you notice this? Did you also notice that there are MANY more moths than butterflies? Somehow that fact made me feel better. Maybe I notice those butterflies because there are fewer of them, not because they are better or more needed than me. After all, God did create more moths than butterflies. Didn’t He?
“Our differences make us beautiful and unique.
We have the same Creator God who wants to show us who He is.”
I was envious of those butterflies until I saw myself the way Jesus did. This Bible we have and the world we live in are God’s introduction to us. He invites us to get to know Him. He is God, “The Great I AM.” The identity of God in the Scriptures is truth. Any question or doubt I have can be answered in the Word. When I doubt my purpose or position in this world, all I have to do is look to Him.
He is the True Light that draws this moth to Him. Butterflies flit around in the day being all graceful and pretty. The sun is their friend. We could stop and watch them for hours. Moths are also visible in the day, but are most noticeable at night when they are seeking a light source. We all need the Light source.
Both creatures crave the light. One is not better than the other. Butterflies make me think of sunshine while moths make me think of electric bug zappers. You know bug zappers, don’t you? In the southern U.S. they are very common. (Electric bug zappers control flying pests by drawing them to the light and then frying them.) As I expressed this thought to a friend, she reminded me of a very important truth. “Bug zappers are FALSE light…you, my moth-y friend, are drawn to the TRUE Light.”
I AM a moth with a purpose. I want to be known for seeking the Light. Recently one of my friends shared a picture of a moth she found in her garage. I saw myself in that moth. Look at it and see if you see yourself in it, too.
Clymene Moth
compliments of Jane Dixon, Photographer
We bear the mark of the One we serve. Who has placed their mark on you? Do you know the “I AM?” Come with us as we seek the TRUE LIGHT together. This journey is for moths and butterflies alike. Our world would not be the same without either of these winged creatures and it will not be the same without you and me. Let’s discover who we are and Who we belong to.
We all have a purpose in the Kingdom of God. I AM honored to walk this path with you. As God began to reveal the truth to me about Who I AM, I realized a few things.
I AM…
A moth
A mother
A child
A child of God
A dearly loved child of God
Hi, my name is Teresa and I AM Beloved by God!!!
PRAY:
Father God,
I thank You for these friends You have given me to walk this path with. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us so we may know You. You are our TRUE LIGHT and we seek You only.
Thank You for Your love and for the purpose You have placed in our lives. We want to seek the TRUE light and live. Keep us away from the false light of the worldly “zappers.”
Be with us as we learn about Your character as You reveal Yourself through Scripture. Tell us once again who we are to You. We belong to You. We love You.
AMEN
About Teresa Bolme
Teresa, this study is incredible. God’s light and love in you really reveals itself through your writings. You might be a moth….but….Your are the most AMAZING moth, and I feel really blessed that GOD has brought us all together through this study. I too, am a moth, and I have always felt like I wasn’t as good as others. God has reveal to me in so many ways that I am Unique, He loves me just the way I am because he created me and knew me even before I was born. He has a purpose for me, and he will reveal that to me as well. I am thankful that God created me to be Unique. He doesn’t make mistakes, and knowing that gives me the assurance I need to Know that the Great “I AM” loves me – just the way I am. (Moth). Teresa, I don’t even have the words to describe how wonderfully written this study is…and how it is going to change so many lives, but I can say Thank you so much for being obedient, for the amount of time and energy you put into it, and for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this study. Love you!
Welcome along on this most amazing journey! God is faithful to reveal himself to you when you truly seek Him. We will all be changed as we dig deeper together. I’m working ahead a bit and I found where God refers to himself as a moth, so I don’t feel like I’m in such bad company. <3. Thanks for reading, friend.
Teresa, thank you for this new study. I definitely need to be reminded regularly of who I am in the Great I AM. I would have defined myself as a moth years ago, but I’ve noticed that as the years go by that I’ve taken on more characteristics like a butterfly. As I think about that in relation to this study, I’m thinking that this is because I’ve studied God’s Word and been drawn to His Light. In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I AM the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As I mature in my relationship with Jesus, I take on more of His characteristics. I become more complete in Him and therefore more confident in His Light. My prayer comes from yours, “Give me a trusting and faithful heart to follow You in the dark and appreciate You in the light.”
(Bonus–I loved the moth! It is Haploa Clymene. Besides the sword on the closed wings, when the wings are spread they are yellow with two black dots–kind of like a happy face! Gotta love God’s creativity–and humor!)
I LOVE that God has a creative Spirit and a sense of humor. We can follow His character in that sense as well. I’m also glad you are a bit nerdy like me and appreciated the moth. 😉
Hi there moth-friend:). So glad to know God has a purpose for each one of us, butterflies and moths alike! I was especially drawn to your illustration of the zappers. There are so many things that try to zap the light out of us! But with God’s help we can overcome anything. Excited to begin this journey with you!
We all have zappers in our lives. Sometimes they sneak up on us an sometimes they smack us in the face. Some days we feel so fried there is no way we think we can pick ourselves up and take one more step.
But our God is there to breathe life into us. Keep seeking Him, Jenn. He will make our way straight. Love you friend
Teresa, my friend, thank you so much for writing this study and sharing it with us! I am honored to take this journey with you as we get to know the Great I Am a little more. I was in awe this first chapter!! I am so excited about what is to come 🙂
Love, Tonya
I love your guts, beautiful friend. Stay strong and keep those prayers coming. We serve a mighty God.
Wow!! Amazing my friend!! You wrote an amazing study and your blog today is right on. Thank you!
Thank you for being such an important part of our study, friend. I AM looking forward to serving with YOU. <3
g’morning, my beautiful moth-y friend! i love where you wrote, “Moths are also visible in the day, but are most noticeable at night when they are seeking a light source. We all need the Light source.” oh, how thankful we are that God has put it into our hearts to be drawn to the Light—the True Light—Jesus IS The Light! <3
Thank you for your inspiration and constant support, sister. I love serving the I AM with you.
I guess I’m some sort of weird hybrid. On the outside I have many more butterfly tendencies. But on the inside I am truly a moth. Thanks for reminding me that no matter how insecure and different I may feel from those around me. In Gods eyes I am precious and valuable. I am loved by my creator and their is nothing I can do to be loved any less! I am encouraged by the many stories in the bible of moths that God used in a powerful way to increase his kingdom. These were ordinary folks who were very much like me. They loved their Lord they new who he was and they followed him! I know that as Gods Holy spirit teaches me more and more who I AM in him I will be changed into the woman he wants me to be. And that woman will not feel insecure or inadequate but powerfully loved and useful for her lord!!! Thank you God for all the ways you love me. Amen
You have hit the nail on the head!!!! We are ALL butterflies an moths. We are all the same, created by the same God. How we choose to be used by Him is what makes us different. Thanks for your insights. <3 it
Hi I believe I am a moth…however, God has taught me to step out in boldness to make those who might feel insignificant feel that they do matter to someone. By nature, I am shy. But others’ perceptions of me are that I am a butterfly. It is because I have had to learn to step out in new situations as fearful as it is to me. I also now recognize that my sense of insecurity in a group setting is the result of my eyes being focused (self-centered) on me, not on what God wants to do in me. How selfish is that?
I love what God is showing me so far through this Bible study. I agree with Coleen: He is ‘the way’ because He is the truth brought to light!
I am shy also, but I realized something important. God can’t use me if all people see is me. I have to be less for others to see Him in my life.
We are all members of the same family. Let’s all look to the Light!
Teresa, He is so good!!! This is exactly what I was struggling with yesterday, that I am a moth…and how can I do His work if I am just a lowly moth? But I am not lowly, I was created to serve Him. Thank you for the reminder that I need to see myself through His eyes! I try very hard to see others through His eyes but forget I need to do the same for myself. Thank you for doing this study!
Cut yourself a break, sister. You were created in the image of the Great I AM. When you diminish the way you see yourself, you lessen God’s beloved creation. Embrace His love for you, just as you share His live with others. <3
Teresa, you really gave us something to ponder on today! Thank you so much for the good word today. I definitely am a Moth but feel like there are some Butterfly qualities tucked away inside of me yearning to come out.
You are a butterfly if I ever saw one!!! Embrace your beauty and lead others to the LIGHT. I love your heart!
When I was younger, I was the moth. Always in the background. Never wanting to be out front. Never wanting the focus or attention to be on me, at all!!! I did not feel comfortable with that at all. Now that I am older, and have found myself in many leadership positions along the way, I am amazed at how much God has changed me over the years! He sure knew that I would need those skills for such a time as this. I am finding myself as a Butterfly in positions in my own community where I am having to give presentations and speak publicly. There was a time where you would have NEVER saw me do this!! But God…. oh but God had different plans!! AMEN!! Thank You Jesus! I am still very nervous when I find myself in this these positions. But thank God His power takes over and I see over and over again how I am able to do ALL things in His strength!! It truly is not in my own power, that’s for sure!!
We are all moths looking to the Light for our strength and guidance. Thank you for your obedience to Him.
I loved the picture when Jane posted it originally and thought how awesome that God’s marking is clearly visible. Regardless of if we are moths or butterflies it is so important that God’s marking be clearly visible on us. For myself, I am definitely a lowly moth as well and yet God keeps spreading my wings, taking me out of my comfort zone. When I think of butterflies I think of all of the ‘pollination work’ they do throughout their lives as well as their beauty. However, a moth’s work is important too. Moths are food for many others, they impact the plants they eat and cause change in chemical reaction for protection of the plant, they also pollinate, as well as tell us the ‘health’ of our environment…isn’t that remarkable…how do we compare? Thank you for this gentle reminder that we are all very useful in God’s kingdom…and we are called to effect change around us!
Thank you for feeding my nerdy side with your knowledge. <3 how God's creation reveals Him in all its forms. Love you, girl
HI, so excited for this study. I guess I am a moth. I like to stay behind the scenes as they say. I hate people looking at me when I am doing things. Makes me so nervous. I have noticed that since I have been saved that this has relaxed me a bit. I can type some of my feelings but still have the fear of speaking/praying aloud in front of people.
Rely on God’s power and presence in your life to let His Light shine through your life. The Great I AM loves you! Let the world know.
Oh T!!! Wouldnt you know there was a gigantic moth in my apartment on wednesday night….i killed it:( I never thought of moths and butterflies as you described them to us. I always was so thankful that moths turn into beautiful butterflies and that God has turned us into a new creation too, just like a butterfly. I love the analogy of the bug zapper too. I never want to be drawn to the false light. Thanks so much for sharing this today and all of the hard work you have put into preparing this study for us. Love you!
I must say, I have developed a new respect for moths since God placed this in my heart. I used to be the proud owner of a bug zapper. I used to BE a bug zapper. I was guilty of breaking and hurting other moths and butterflies.
I don’t want to be a zapper anymore. I want to be tender enough for the Holy Spirit to use my life for His glory.
AMEN!
Teresa, the moth/butterfly thing is an AMAZING revelation to me! I am so glad God showed you this and I am loving this study so much. I am SUCH a moth and I love how this parallels with who we are in Christ. There’s nothing wrong with being a moth, God loves moths just as much as he loves butterflies! 🙂 Thank you and thank God for this message…. *hugs*
You are definitely loved by our Father. He made you special! 🙂
Oh my!! I love the moth and butterfly comparison and I love how you ntroduce yourself to us. You’re amazing my friend. An unbelievable writer and woman of God. Thank you. Thank you.
Thanks sister. I really could not understand what God was up to with that analogy. I fought it, until He spoke so clearly all I had to do was type. The Holy Spirit knows what we need and is willing to fill those gaps for us. We only have to follow His lead.
I too am a moth hanging out in my closet called my home. The Light of the Lord draws me in to be His undercover butterfly. It is not my outward appearance but my but my heart that is the butterfly. Serving the Lord with my heart and with His strength is what He has shown me during my moth life, which brings out the butterfly in me. Thank you for the comparison of the moth and butterfly and this study.
I agree with you completely. It is Christ in us that turns us from moth to butterfly when He needs us to shine. Otherwise we are moths drawn to the true light of His Word.
first off LOVE the song huge favorite, that moth with a cross looks like a butterfly to me
This song has woken me up every morning for the last 2-3 weeks. It has really started my day off focused on how much God loves me.
Wonderful post! I’ve always felt like a caterpillar to be quite honest…waiting to be transformed, through the work of God, into some beautiful being!
Wendy, embrace the purpose God has placed on your life. The caterpillar has such potential. Give him your caterpillar-ness and he will transform you into the mature being you were created to be. Fly friend!
Loved your blog today! It has given me so much to think about. I’m not really sure if I am a butterfly or a moth or both. Thanks for the beautiful comparison. Big Love!
Thank you for coming along on our journey of discovery. We all benefit when we know who we are to become as we grow our relationship with Jesus.
Thank you Teresa for this study! It came at a perfect time for me – I am in a strange stage in my life that “SAHM/ Going back to work” stage and had been praying for help from God to help me figure who I was because I realized I have no idea anymore. At one time I think I may have had butterfly tendencies…. But now I am definitely more a moth… But all of it I just so related to and to hear someone say that regardless they were all important and all had a place THAT resonated with me because at this stage that’s what I am struggling with the most just feeling useless to my kids and to the work world and just out of place… So thank you. I can’t wait to keep working thru this study. You and your writing are definitely a blessing to me already, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Life stages are necessary. If you were still behaving as an infant after 20 years, there would be a serious problem. Take this next life stage as an opportunity to experience a deeper relationship with the Lord. We are here to support each other as we grow.
Hey, Teresa! Thank you for your post.I step back and stand amazed at how God takes some tiny little creatures that fly around us so wondrously and free daily- that we are often oblivious to- and yet today, He uses them for His glory in nudging our hearts to better understand ourselves and our differences.(And they/we all have purpose in His great design!) Many times we barely think of what ALL God can teach us through His Creations about ourselves, but He can and will if we would stop, reflect, and study them for even a little while. Thank you for allowing us to go with you on this journey of deeper exploration of Who God is as the great I AM. I can hardly wait to see what all the Scriptures will reveal on this topic as we go through the study.My heart’s response today: I love that it doesn’t matter if we are like butterflies, moths, or a combination of both, but that God uses us all as His children as long as we are drawn to Him (The Light), rest in His Power and Presence, and are willing to “fly beautifully” (be, go, serve) wherever He calls us for His Purposes! Thank you for allowing God to use you. You are flying beautifully, my friend! 🙂
Thank you for your words, sister friend. Your life blesses me beyond measure. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers.
I just love this Sisterhood of Moths!! 🙂
Beautiful, useful creatures ready for service, ma’am.
Theresa, Thank you for the encouraging and challenging word. I appreciated the comparison you did with the moth and yourself. It truly gave me something to think about it. I think I’m more of a “mofly” – meaning – That some days I feel that I can be a moth and the next day more of a butterfly and even some days both 😉 . Thank you again.
Ohhhhh, I LIKE that word, Dana: mofly!!! Beautiful!!!
Truly, we all have the same creator and purpose. Our emotions determine whether we see ourselves as moths or butterflies. God sees us through Jesus, so it really doesn’t matter as long as we are HIS.
Wow! Thank You so much for using your talent for writing & teaching so that we may all learn about & get to know who God is! I am a moth…and that’s okay. I am me as God created me to be!
Thank you for your kind words and your prayers for us as we begin our study time together. You are perfect the way God created you to be.
T – Thank you for reminding me I AM bought for a price, hand picked and His.
You are a priceless treasure, Anne. He loves you.
dy and thank you for the post today. I believe this study will help me so much. I still have the thought that i am not wanted but now i can learn what God says that i am to me.
Thank you for the encouragement and reminding. I have always been a moth on the inside, but on the outside I would try very hard to be a butterfly. If that any sence to anyone. I grew with family always telling me I was a mistake. Just to share a bit about myself. My parents had 4 kid 2 boys and 2 girls. They figured that that was enough so my mom had her tubes tied. And that was that. 11 years later I came along unexpectaly. So since I was not planned my family jokingly calling me an oops baby a mistake from the beginning they thought it was funny but I grew up feeling like I was a mistake not wanted. I am moth wishing I was a butterfly. Thank you for this
Hi Mary, glad you are here with us on this journey. When God created us He said we were good. Good to God has to be something awesome to us, right? When I hear stories like yours, I begin to look around and see what that person’s purpose is on this earth. Your parents may not have planned to have number 5, but God has a reason for you to be here. Make your mark on this earth, Mary. You are here for a purpose!
Thank you for creating this study. I haven’t done a Bible study in some time and found this website by doing a google search. What a blessing to be surrounded by Christian women on a similar path. It’s amazing how God knows what you need exactly when you need it. I agree agree with Joann that I am a butterfly many times on the outside but on the inside I am a moth and feel comfortable there. I love the analogy and love day one of the study. Can’t wait to see what else the Lord reveals to me on this journey.
Welcome along, Leslie. If the scientists are correct, then 90% of us would be moths with only 10% being butterflies. Moths are beautiful and useful…and apparently PLENTIFUL. God wants us to be who HE created us to be and nothing more. Praying for you as we go through this study together.
I think I am half butterfly/half moth, all depends on what I am doing or where God has me at the moment. I find it very easy to meet people, talk, teach, sing, etc in front of others but some things in my life I have just wanted to fold my wings and cover up like the moth does, but I can’t , I have to stay emerged from the cocoon stage so that God can’t continue to melt me into exactly what He needs me to be so that God (the I Am) can be drawn from me as the light to this world who is in need of Him! A real nugget of reality that God showed me this past weekend while studying His Word is “when I don’t tell others about Jesus then what I am really saying is they can go to hell”. Well “I am” not gonna let that happen when I can tell people of the “I AM” and give them the greatest gift they will ever receive in their life. Whether we are are His beautiful butterflies or moths we as believers are called for a purpose, to tell the world about the I AM, so they too can receive.
Thanks Teresa for the wonderful study, I have loved digging into today’s message as He is teaching me more of who He is in me….I look forward to the many ways he will change my cocoon process over these 7 weeks and how I will change/be transformed
Beverly, you bless my heart. What an awesome revelation from our LORD. If not you, then who? Go tell, my friend.
Thank you for this wonderful study. I am a moth who is still learning to keep my eyes focused on the true light, and to stay far away from the zapper.
No truer words have been spoken. Jesus paid a high price to buy our lives? We now can live free and fly
Keep searching and learning, my friend. God wants to be found. Continue seeking Him and He will reveal everything you need.
Wow, what a powerful first day. I think I am a reluctant butterfly who wants to be a moth. In my career I have been forced out of my natural moth-like state into being a butterfly. But I really would rather be a moth. I like to be the “behind the scenes” person, but when I can’t be, I will step out and be the butterfly. When I think of the butterfly and moth in terms of what we learned today, I wonder if we aren’t captivated and drawn in by the beauty of the butterfly, while the poor moth is left to be “zapped” because we don’t see it in the same way as the butterfly. We plant butterfly bushes to draw the beautiful butterflies to our yard, while at the same time we place stinky moth balls into our closets to kill the moths. If both of God’s creations serve the exact same purpose, then why do we treat them so differently. I hope that starting from this point forward I will remember that God thinks that every creature he created is beautiful when it is fulfilling its purpose. Thanks for a great lesson Teresa!
I had very similar feelings and thoughts as I processed the information God was revealing to me. Our attitude and perspective are more important in this world than our title. We all have a divine purpose. Thanks for joining us on this journey to discover ourselves in the Great I AM.
Wow! I just love the visual the moth/butterfly analogy creates. I grew up as a moth, was transformed into a butterfly via my career and have fluttered back into being a moth. Each phase of my life has brought changes that dictated this and the present phase of my life is no exception. Uncertainty as a wife, mother, child of God and everything in between have left me feeling inadequate. I know I have taken my eyes off of the true Light! Thank you Teresa for this visual! Wonderful words to ponder.
Our life stages do play a large part in our attitudes toward ourselves and our walk with the Father. The true LIGHT never changes. Keep pressing on and looking to the Light.
So excited to join the study.
Jackie, my sister. So glad you are joining us. I so want to hug your neck one day. Love you friend.
i count it all joy to associate myself with butterflies/moths. to God be the glory. food for thought whether i am focusing on the light or my eyes are somewhere else
Hi, Ann. We are in good company here. Thanks for joining us in our study of the Great I AM. There is so much to learn here as we deepen our walk with the LOrd.