Puzzling Pieces

Romans 8: 28. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

I enjoy working on puzzles and even have a technique to get started. 

I look for all the corners first and all the pieces with straight edges which I know will form the border. But it is the middle part that becomes tricky and this is where frustration starts creeping in. So I check the pieces I've put together against the picture on the box and see if they match up. 

Many times I get bogged down with my own little pieces in my life that don't seem to fit. But in real life, I don't have a picture to match these pieces against. What I do have, which God has provided, are His promises. I know that He has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11-13) and that they are good. I know too that His purpose will always prevail (Proverbs 19:21).  

Lord, I am so grateful that You hold all the pieces of my life, and that You know exactly how it should look like. Help me to remember Your promises when some pieces don't seem to fall into place as I expect. 

Photo credit: gaiadreamcreations.com

Puzzling Pieces_Romans 8: 28.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

I enjoy working on puzzles, and I even have a technique to get started. I look for all the corners first and all the pieces with straight edges which I know will form the border. But it is the middle part that becomes tricky and this is where frustration starts creeping in. So I check the pieces I've put together against the picture on the box and see if they match up. 

Many times though I get bogged down with my own little pieces in my life that don't seem to fit. But in real life, I don't have a picture to match these pieces against. What I do have, which God has provided, are His promises. I know that He has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11-13) and that they are good. I know too that His purpose will always prevail (Proverbs 19:21).  

Lord, I am so grateful that You hold all the pieces of my life, and that You know exactly how it should look like. Help me to remember Your promises when some pieces don't seem to fall into place as I expect.  

Oct. 30, 2015

Image credit: shutterstock

Blinded by the dark_2 Corinthians 4:18

"We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen."

I am afraid of the dark. Even when I sleep, I have to leave on the light on my dresser, so when I open my eyes I can still see what surrounds me. When I’m in a hotel, I keep the door of the bathroom slightly ajar with the light on, “just in case”. This is why I couldn’t bring myself to watch the Netflix movie “Bird Box”. Just thinking about having to move around in a blindfold to evade monsters that can kill me if I see them is terrifying me!

But God’s word tells me that NOT seeing is better!  “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) 

I am told to “walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Our human nature, however, insists on looking for proof or evidence that something is indeed there. Even one of his apostles, who walked intimately with Jesus, heard everything Jesus said, and witnessed all the miracles of Jesus had done, had a hard time believing that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead.   Thomas only believed when He appeared before him to show him his wounds.

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

 But if something cannot be seen, does it mean it’s not there or it’s not happening?

This is what faith in Jesus is all about -- believing that His hand is moving, even when you do not see it…yet.  Though I do not see Him, I believe He sees me. How comforting to know that I don't need to SEE to BELIEVE!

Lord God, I really prefer being able to see what’s happening. But at this time, I know that, in your great wisdom, You are teaching me to trust that Your hand is moving, and to know that You are watching over me, to walk by faith and not by sight. Help me to fix my eyes on You, even though I cannot see. Let me find strength in the words in Psalm 121:7, 8, “The Lord will keep you from all harm — he watches over your life;  the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

Joy in Hard Places_Habakkuk 3:18

"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour."

Have you already Konmari-ed your house? Have you cleared out things that “don’t spark joy”? Many people who take Marie Kondo’s method literally feel they’d be left with nothing in their homes if they threw out everything that didn’t “spark joy”. A meme even showed a woman throwing out her husband! Boy! I laughed out loud with that! But I think they’re missing a vital point here on how we must view what we have around us, and what brings us true “joy”, not simply satisfaction, or pride in possession.

Spark joy is a loose translation of the ‘tokimeku” literally “to flutter” among other things. Cathy Hiran who translated the book of Marie Kondo to English considered several possibilities like “bring pleasure” and “brighter you world”. My favourite? “Speaks to your heart”.

The prophet at that time was anticipating the impending invasion of the Babylonians, yet he expressed a kind of joy that goes beyond the terrifying circumstances surrounding him. Early in the first chapter he cries out “How long, Lord, must I call for help but you do not listen?” But by chapter 3 verses 17 & 18, he resolutely proclaims —

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines; though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food; though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be IN GOD, my Saviour."

Lord Father in Heaven, how many times have I cried in despair over things that caused me to worry and fear, forgetting all the times You have overwhelmed me with Your unfailing love? I know I shouldn't look at the circumstances around me but only look to You. It is IN YOU, my Saviour, I find true JOY.  Speak to my heart, O God!

Image credit: Gerri Gibbons

Looking somewhere else_Psalm 39:1-7

Life is an endless seeking, and many times what we find is not what we wanted all along. When we have achieved what we worked hard for, and the euphoria has died down, what are we left with?

In Ecclesiastes, the writer (attributed to Solomon) repeatedly says the word, 'meaningless" to describe all we toil or labor for. In other versions, the word used is "vanity".  In Hebrew, however, the word used is HEVEL which means 'vapor, smoke', referring to something that is fleeting or temporary. When I found out about this word, it turned my mind around.

God, in His grace, doesn't want us to live meaningless lives! On the contrary, His desire is for us to live full lives.  John 10:10 says, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

In living my every day life, it doesn't have to be without meaning because all my hope, all my seeking rests on my looking to Jesus, my Saviour and King. Psalm 39:7, "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is ion You."

Lord God, You alone give meaning to what I do. Guide me, and my family, as we live out in obedience the purpose You have given us.

Image credit: weheartit.com

Yet I will praise Him_Psalm 94:2, 16-23

In the Bible, there is a one-syllable word that packs a punch -- the word YET. Its synonyms are nevertheless,
nonetheless,
even so,
despite that,
inspite of,
JUST THE SAME,
be that as it may.

The Bible is [peppered with YETs. According to the blog, soulspartan.com, the word appears approximately 395 times, usually between verses of despair, pleas for help, laments and suddenly, YET pops up followed by declarations of hope, prayers with praise and proclamations of His goodness.

YET is like an orange light, signalling me to slow down and reflect on His faithfulness and love. YET always encourages me.  One of my favorite YET passages is this:
"Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vine;
though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food;
though there are no sheep in the pen, and no cattle in the stalls,
YET
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God, my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17-19

Heavenly Father, Faithful God, I sing praises to Your Holy name!

Hope_Ecclesiastes 9:4-12

At first glance, these verses seem so discouraging, with words like "meaningless life", "for in the grave where you are going", and "so men are trapped in evil times..." Yet, the message here is that while we live THERE IS HOPE!

Verse 4 says "Anyone who is among the living has hope...", and that we must enjoy God's favor or blessings.

Verse 7 says "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is NOW that God favors what you do."

As flawed humans we tend to live in the past (regrets) and plan our future (anxiety) which we have no control of. This is why Jesus calls us not to be anxious about tomorrow in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day is enough trouble of its own." What He calls us to do rather is to BE PRESENT in His PRESENCE.

The Rubber Band

It’s commonplace enough, found in most office desks, kitchen drawers and even in my bag! It has a myriad of uses. I use it to hold together used wrapping paper or cartolina; bundle up straying electric cords; and ponytail my daughter’s hair. As children, my brother and sisters used them as slingshots with rolled paper as ammo. But as I reflect on our 2018, there is a priceless lesson to be had from the ubiquitous rubber band. My faith in our good God is very much like a rubber band. He stretches me to the point I feel I’m about to snap, and as I cry out to Him, He then releases me. Just as I become complacent, He once again pulls me to where I think is my limit. You see, when He calls us to do His work, He stretches our faith like a rubber band so we can be pliable to His will, and therefore we can accomplish more. Painful, yes, and many times exhausting physically and emotionally. 2018 was a strenuous year to say the least for my family. It strained our resources, our patience, and our resolve. But despite all this, we have found beautiful blessings in loyal people, faithful friends, and a purpose for the family that has remained steadfast. For all these, we are truly grateful. In all honesty, however, I whisper a prayer: “Lord, can the stretching please stop and let us catch our breath?” I have no answer, yet I look toward to 2019 in hope, and continue to pray— When we feel helpless with situations surrounding us and we feel hopeless, You are our Hope. When we see violence and hatred all around, You are our Peace. When misery and despair engulf us, You are our Joy. “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” -- Psalm 33:20-22

He Waits for Me

Then the music starts. I struggle through the darkness, through briers with claws that wound me. I walk out to a clearing and there on a hill He waits for me. Light envelopes me in His embrace. I slowly sit, rest my head on his lap, and cry: Jesus Lord, I am so tired! Jesus Lord, I am bothered, I am dismayed; I am anxious. I am in pain. I have doubts and I have sinned Please forgive me. I don’t know what to do. Then, I feel His hand on my forehead He strokes my hair, and says: I have taken all that, and its okay; Your sin? I have taken it away; I died for you because I love you. Do not be afraid. In the early morning hour I find my way into His glorious presence -- My King, my Saviour, my Friend; He waits for me as the music starts. "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3 Written 100218// Posted on momofmultitudes.blogspot.com October 2, 2018