There were only a few
slots left in this jigsaw puzzle (first photo) where the last few pieces might fit. But
they didn't! It was puzzling. And frustrating. This happened once before with
another jigsaw puzzle, and it turned out two identically shaped pieces were in the
wrong slots. Hmmmm.
I feel as though life
right now is like this puzzle. I feel unsettled. I worry about this and
that–health, aging, the world situation. Yet, hey, I’m a Christian and I should
not feel this way. Right? Christians know God is on His throne, so all is well.
Well, today I’m
unsettled, so I consider how to approach my problem.
I will ask my two
Friends of the Heart to pray for me. My problems seem miniscule compared to the problems in the
world. There are thousands upon thousands of people trying to leave Ukraine
because of war, and they’re stuck in lines or shelters, on foot or in cars.
Here I am. A dot in the
grand scheme of things. One little person. But author Sarah Young in MORNINGS
WITH JESUS reminds me God cares–even about little dots. Jesus invites us to
bring Him our problems and consider them an opportunity to trust Him more. So I
will ask my friends to pray for me.
“Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your request to God” (Philippians 1:4 NIV).
I will focus on today,
rather than worry about tomorrow. Life is so surprising. When I think back over the things I’ve
worried about, I realize how useless worry is. It does not change a thing. And
most things never happened. Yet I do need to be concerned enough to deal with
some things. God has helped me in the past when puzzling things happened, so I
must distinguish between problems to deal with and those to leave in God’s
Hands.
“And we know that in all
things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).
I will read God’s Word. I sometimes find it hard to find a personal
message in Old Testament passages about laws and rituals and wars. But I keep
looking, and there’s always something there to apply to my life. So I will keep
reading.
“How sweet are your
words . . . sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103).
And I will keep on
praying. Prayer usually settles
my heart. As I bring my needs and the needs of others before the Lord, I can
see that my needs are small. I know God will be faithful one way or another.
"If My people, who are
called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their
sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Just this morning as Kim
and I wound up a conversation about the world situation, she said, “We will
keep our noses in the scripture, our prayers going up, and we’ll keep on
walkin’.”
Amen to that. I feel
better already. And as you can see, the puzzle pieces finally fell into place–
although one final piece is nowhere to be found. I will keep on lookin’.