The puzzle I’m currently working on reflects the colors and the design of the Southwest – a region of our nation I love. Turquoise moccasins, Native American pottery and a sunset of desert textures.
Yet beyond the stress-relieving act of fitting my puzzle pieces together, God is teaching me precious lessons of faith.
Think About the Big Picture
Once I found the borders of the puzzle, everything should have begun to snugly fit together. But something didn’t look right.
My son found the answer because he’s a forest guy while I look at the trees. “This piece right here doesn’t fit,” he said. “It skews the big picture.”
He was right and once I found the correct piece, suddenly the picture made more sense.
Sometimes we think a certain direction is best for our lives. But something about the final decision doesn’t seem right. Something doesn’t fit. Red flags stop us or circumstances change.
We can’t see the big picture, but God can. He exists beyond the past, present and future. He knows how to work out our lives and fit each day into the next so our destinies become clear.
Don’t Try to Force an Answer
A puzzle piece may look right and seem to fit, but one side seems to snag or won’t quite align. Forcing the piece into that particular hole can bend it or even break it. Then the puzzle is flawed.
If we try to force something to work or move forward on our own, we can damage ourselves or someone else.
If the circumstances aren’t working out and our pathways seem skewed, trying to force a decision, a relationship or a direction messes with our destinies.
How many of us have forged ahead and forced something to happen, then later regretted our actions?
When God manages the puzzles of our lives, all the pieces end up fitting together – perfectly – without adverse circumstances.
Give It Time
A 300-piece puzzle cannot be completed in one hour. My puzzle has been on the table for several weeks. I work on it now and then, usually a few minutes at a time.
As we face decisions or transitions in life, they take time to percolate and work out all the details.
Patience is learned through the long passage of time. Hurry is the antagonist of patience.
The Alzheimer’s journey is a test of endurance – one 36-hour day after another.
Starting a new job involves a learning curve and perseverance.
Writing a book may involve late nights, early mornings or weekend discipline. One word, one sentence, one character sketch at a time until the final period is typed. Sometimes the process takes years.
The best answers are revealed as a result of a waiting period. The strongest faith is birthed through years of experience, long periods of waiting and the courage to ask questions that may even increase our struggle.
We often don’t see a purpose in the details until patience has completed its perfect work.
The Apostle James underscored this truth. “When the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete” (James 1:3-4 TLB).
God rarely answers our “Why” questions but instead, he urges us to trust – even when we’re so weary we can only continue the journey with an extra measure of God’s grace.
My puzzle gives me joy because I love the colors and the promise of what the final product will be.
Surely God also feels joy when he moves the pieces of our lives together so the final result reflects his love.
©2016 RJ Thesman – Author of the Reverend G books http://amzn.to/1rXlCyh
Good morning RJ. Maybe you have had this wisdom all the time. I don’t know,but I thank God for your words. They very often encourge me. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you! I’m always working on gaining more wisdom !
Your blogs always seem to come at just the right time! Thanks for your words. Our transition to the US has not been easy and I often question why we moved, but God has the full picture and I need to let Him put the puzzle pieces together.
thanks and blessings bea
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Thank you, Bea. Trusting God’s arrangement of the pieces is always a challenge, but even when we can’t trust – he is faithful.
Dallas Willard counselled a man who was seeking wisdom amidst pressures in life and work, “you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life”. Thanks for s good reminder.
I love everything Dallas Willard wrote. A wise man and a great writer. I’m still working on that need to eliminate hurry.
Hurry is encouraged and rewarded in many cultural circles. God does move in His own good time. Keeping in step with His rhythm can be challenging.
So true – there’s a good reason he says “Be still and know.”
I think you also learned to take a little help from your prayer partner and encouragers. For those problems that are harder and bigger, remember your Saturday Sisters love you.
Definitely true, Ginger ! I appreciate my Saturday Sisters more than I can say. Love you back !
I love that last sentence, “Surely God also feels joy when he moves the pieces of our lives together so the final result reflects his love.”
Thank you, Judith. I love it when God’s words have an impact.