September 21, 2021
Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.
~Isaiah 40:26~
Puzzles come in many different sizes, some of which are so large we wonder how long it may take to complete it. The simplest way to get the puzzle started is by laying down the edging first. The complete outline of what is to hold it all together. I like to imagine the pieces as holding hands together around what is going to be a masterpiece image. As the outline is complete we slowly build portions in the center. Sometimes the right side has part of an image while the left side has another part, building it as we find the connections. Puzzles take much patience; "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:4)
It takes a steady hand and a steady mind to build a large detailed puzzle. The ending is always better then the picture on the box shows it to be. Have you ever built a puzzle and as you got to the end found there is a missing piece? You search everywhere frantically for this piece because even though its just one piece it still is very needed. The picture is still incomplete without it. This is how God views His children. He is building a masterpiece with His beloved. He is patient in waiting as He constructs it in the proper steps to make sure it holds together. "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually."
(I Corinthians 12:27)
I like to remember how Father takes each of us and puts us exactly where we belong, exactly who we belong next to as our piece was designed to fit there. He is longsuffering as He awaits His children to say yes. He is gentle as He puts us where we need to be in the perfect timing. He beams with joy as He knows the ending will result in something so beautiful. He wants all of us to have our place in the image. Right now He is viewing all of His children and knows they are all needed. He does not stop until He finds those missing pieces; “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?" (Luke 15:4)
Our Father does not desire anyone to be lost.
He wants to take time to make sure His puzzle is fully complete before it is displayed.
As it draws nearer month by month, year by year He sees portions of the image coming through. What is the image He sees?
"And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man." (I Corinthians 15:49)
Just imagine, Father sets each piece into its original place; making up the eyes, the mouth, the hands and the feet of His perfect Son. As each piece comes together He sees it is closer to that complete image of Jesus Christ. This is why it is important that no piece goes missing and that each one is found. We may think we can rush a puzzle but it takes precision, time, patience and our focus. This is what He does for each of us as He awaits the grand unveiling of His Son. If we notice there is a piece missing in our grouping, let us frantically search and pray with perseverance so as to complete the section that needs to be complete for the Father's eyes. Each one matters. Each one is Him.
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you that You have such patience with timing of Your Image which is being placed together in perfect unity. Help me to receive the same patience as I walk in my own individual place as part of Your puzzle. I want us all to come together in unity to please Your eyes. Guide me in the timing, the prayers and the process of seeing the complete picture of the Son. May all praise be to You for choosing us to represent Jesus Christ. Show us how to walk today to be in alignment to Your will. I surrender my time to You. All my love is for You and I want to make sure no piece is lost. Show me who to direct towards the center today Lord. Glory be given to Your Name, the Image, the Heavenly man and the Creator Jesus Christ, who I am being built into. Amen.