My puzzle shows a scene from the Tatra Mountains in Poland.
I completed a puzzle last week. Not just any puzzle – a 2000-piece puzzle! I also have to say I did finish it, but I didn’t do the whole thing. My daughters started it when they were home at Christmas. Then, they, of course, went home leaving it for me to finish. I worked a little on it almost every day and as I got closer to finishing, it became an obsession. I had to get that thing finished and off my dining table.
The process was a bit frustrating. I’d put in a piece that matched in shape, color, etc. I’d turn it over to check how snug it fit. Sometimes I’d leave it, but other times I took it out. Many of those pieces I left in place, thinking they really did fit didn’t fit later when I tried to fill in around them.
Life is a little like that isn’t it? I think “I’ve got this. This is working for me.” Then, later it doesn’t. Other times it seems like I can’t figure out what to do about a certain situation. I get impatient and want answers when God wants me to wait. God may have “other pieces” to put in place first.
I think of Jesus’ disciples. In the first chapter of Acts Luke records that Jesus had commanded the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit. They asked Jesus if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel? Jesus said, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8).
The disciples didn’t just sit around waiting for God to send the Holy Spirit. They prayed (Acts 1:14) and they took care of business that needed to be done by choosing another man (Acts 1:21-26) to take Judas’ place. They were busy doing what they knew to do. So, should we. We should continue doing Kingdom work even if we’re unsure of the next step. We can still love our neighbor, care for the lonely, teach that Sunday School class, whatever “pieces” we know will fit. When answers don’t come on our timetable we keep working. As I worked on that puzzle, I eventually got all the wrong-fitted pieces in the right place. I trust God to eventually fit all the pieces of my life into His perfect plan.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10).
Many thanks.