Written by: Dr Pearl Kupe
Article source: JOY! Magazine
August is the month in which we celebrate women in South Africa. Women’s Day commemorates the 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where more than 20 000 women marched in protest against the apartheid pass laws. Whilst celebrating women is certainly a worthy cause, we need to move beyond honouring women for one month, only to see them being raped, molested, and murdered in the months that follow.
We must build a culture of protection
As a nation, we need to inculcate a lifestyle and culture of protecting and encouraging women consistently – and the Church must lead in this regard. A nation that encourages, trains, and equips its women (spiritually, politically, economically, and socially) is a nation that is blessed and will experience accelerated progress.
What is transformation?
The dictionary definition of transformation is “a marked change in form, nature, or appearance”. A deeper etymological study shows that a synonym for transformation is metamorphosis. The Greek word for Biblical transformation is metamorphoo (from which we get the English word metamorphosis) – a complete change.
The butterfly is the perfect picture
The best example and demonstration of metamorphosis is the butterfly, which transforms from a caterpillar or worm into a beautiful creature. What do butterflies do? In the plant world, they pollinate – carrying pollen from plant to plant, helping fruits, vegetables, and flowers produce seeds. But the process takes time. The caterpillar does not become a butterfly overnight. It goes through various stages and phases of change.
Everything in God’s creation transforms
The butterfly is not the only thing that transforms. God allows His creation to go through developmental and transformative processes. Human beings, animals, and even plants begin as seeds and grow into full maturity. Time and environment are key factors in this process. To short-circuit it is to sabotage the plan of God.
Transformation can be positive or negative
Not every transformation is Godly. It is possible to be transformed in a negative way. If we are not in the right setting or environment, we can be influenced in ways that derail our spiritual growth. Painful interruptions to our development can also impact us. Negative transformation hinders rather than helps – and can even cause us to sabotage the transformation of others. When the process is influenced by worldly principles, it cannot yield Godly fruit. Kingdom transformation requires Kingdom principles.
Examples of negative transformation in the Bible
Jezebel and Delilah are examples of women who were transformed, but in destructive ways. Both allowed themselves to be corrupted. They were powerful and influential, but used that influence to undermine the Kingdom of God. Men like Nimrod, Haman, Absalom, and others also introduced negative transformation into their environments. We must never allow the enemy to hijack our influence. God wants us to be transformed so that we may bring Kingdom change wherever we go.
What does Biblical transformation look like?
Biblical transformation will always yield positive results. True transformation affects our spirit, mind, and character more than our physical appearance. Physical growth occurs, but spiritual transformation is the priority.
God wants holistic transformation
God wants us to grow and develop in every area – but especially spiritually. He prioritises the development of our spirit, character, mind, and emotions. We are to work out our salvation and exercise our faith daily, ensuring spiritual growth from one level to the next. Romans 12:2 exhorts us to renew our minds so that our lives are transformed in line with Biblical standards. Let us rise up as transformed women who will go on to transform communities and nations.
Transformed women must rise
Women must move from being caterpillars that crawl, to entering cocoons, and finally transforming into beautiful, colourful, and purposeful butterflies. Each butterfly must join others to form a corporate group that moves from flower to flower, pollinating and influencing the surrounding environment.
You may feel overlooked – but God is working
This article is dedicated to all the ladies who may be feeling low, overlooked, or like despised worms and caterpillars. It may seem like you don’t count for much – but that is not the case. Be encouraged to know that transformation is taking place in your body, soul, and spirit. God is doing a great work in you. It may seem slow, but the process began the day you received Yeshua as Lord and Saviour, and it will continue until the day you transition from this earth.
You have a God-given purpose
I pray that this article will minister to you and encourage you to fulfil your God-given purpose and mandate in life – to become the purposeful and beautiful butterfly that you were destined to be. Go and influence the world with your Kingdom transformation. You are blessed to be a blessing, generationally, to the nations of the world.
This article is an excerpt from Dr Pearl Kupe’s book, Transformed Woman: Empowered to pollinate. Click here to order the book online.
This article is featured in the August issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 05/08/2025
DR Pearl Kupe – attorney and consultant to world leaders and international organisations, as well as TV show host on TBN Africa (DSTV channel 343). Visit pearlkupe.co.za or email pearl.kupe@gmail.com
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork from www.freepik.com
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