Jigsaw in the Sky

Any analogy falls flat when pushed past the red line, but indulge me while I paint the picture, the big one, a story larger than you or I.  Non-parents, bear with me….

Doing jigsaw puzzles with kids is one of those activities which inevitably magnifies your character.  Are you the parent who nudges the next piece, insisting on the formula you learnt, or can you sit back and allow them to do it their way?  Me, well, I probably say “look at the flippin box!” at least every 30 seconds.  Do they look at the box?  Seldom.  Does it frustrate me?  Big time.  The picture is there, c’mon, Cinderella’s mouse does not go above her head, and Tigger is usually facing up, get it?

But then I don’t get it, and neither do you.  We seldom see the bigger picture through the busy-ness of every day.  If my life and yours were a single piece in the fabric of all things, from the moment this world began until the time it is wrapped up, we will probably only ever know the few pieces which adjoin ours, the relationships we have, the people in our circle and the events which move, sadden or fulfil us.  And that is OK, it is the way we were made and the way we live in the natural.

Our near sightedness holds some peril though, should we start judging the world only by what we know and can see.  We generally are unaware of what came before us, and cannot know what is to follow, but yet we tend to rate God’s goodness by the events we see touching our lives and those we love.  We often do not understand the curve balls that come our way, the illness that befalls someone close to us, the tragedy that strikes unexpectedly, relationships that fall apart or financial woes that threaten to overflow us as jobs are lost and businesses crumble.

Yet, in moments of real connection with God we realise that He made the box, that He sees the entire picture and gave His own life for every piece.  More than that, He is the Master Builder.   Jesus told us that there would be trouble in this world, but that He has overcome it.

Today He is challenging you : Do you believe that your life is part of a larger story, and that only I can see the bigger picture?  Are you willing to trust Me completely, even when it means you do not get what you ask for in the short term? Will you accept that I understand you, your life and your circumstances more deeply and perfectly than you ever could?

Your life is not a series of random events and your Father is not present sometimes and then leaves you in a huff when you get it wrong.  He has been writing a story through you, and as you draw near to Him the script becomes ever clearer.  And that piece you hold in your hand or do not understand, relinquish it to Him.  Just surrender it.  He will work it out to your good. His loving-kindness towards us is deeper and higher and wider than we could ever know.

Now let the peace of God reign supreme in your hearts. No pun intended

Glory to Him

WS

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