“I will come back to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10b NIV
“Mommy, I need help!”
Standing in the doorway, I stared aghast into our preschooler’s bedroom. She had found her new puzzles from Grandma. The five thirty-piece puzzles that hadn’t come with a picture. And, she had emptied them into a perfect pile on her pink rug, effectively mixing all the pieces.
Kneeling beside her, I instructed her, “try to match like with like.” Seeing her questioning glance, I then clarified, “All the dinosaurs together.”
But I had only seen the top puzzle; I had no idea what scenes were displayed on the others! Over the next few hours we sorted and assembled, finally celebrating when all five were completed!
How difficult it can be to piece together the picture-perfect existence when life is in a multitude of pieces scattered about. Especially if you have no idea what the picture should look like!
The general goal of a happy, fulfilling and meaningful life seems like it shouldn’t be so hard, right? We know we want God’s will, but sometimes it feels difficult to discern.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5 (NIV)
Unlike me with the pile of puzzle pieces and the plethora of life pieces scattered about, God actually sees the whole picture. He knows the plans He has for me. He knows the plans He has for you. He knows which pieces fit where, and the ones needed to be stored in a stack for later. And, He’s happy to share His vision, in His timing, if we ask.
Asking God for guidance and to fill the gaps with His grace is the simple answer to the how to do life. Having the faith to do just that, can be quite another challenge.
Yet, just as my daughter called for help when she was overwhelmed by all those pieces. We need to ask God to show us how to sort out the pieces of both life and faith. We also need to develop the faith to trust Him when we cant see the big picture.
Not easily done, right?
While still a far way to go, I have found spending some time with Him each day goes a long way. Not every day is the day when I get to spend a long time in His word or in prayer. Some days it’s a few minutes here and there. But as long as it happens most days, I grow.
I find trying to piece life together on my own is overwhelming. But I am learning that I can trust God with all those details, believing His promise in Romans 8:28 that He will indeed work everything for my good!
Reflections:
What pieces of my life captivate my attention and demand my focus?
Am I allowing those pieces to distract my attention from God? Do I trust HE has a purpose for each?
How might I focus on developing patience to allow God to work all those pieces together?
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You that You do indeed know the plans You have for me. As I stare at the many pieces of life, please remind that You do indeed keep Your promises, and that You will indeed work all things together for my good. Please provide what I need to grow my faith and trust in You. Thank You, that You will never fail Your word. You will never fail me! Please help me to remember that, In Jesus’ name, Amen.