Sometimes I can't see it at all, even when a lot of time passes.
Today I was re-reading the book Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. This book is totally on my reading list for all my young homeschooling children to read one day. I've also been reading the book Radical: Taking back your Faith From the American Dream by David Platt. Wow, does God know how to hit home or what? These books, one fiction and one non-fiction, totally go together. They are amazing at setting a warped perspective straight.
This world is not about me but about Christ. As I was reading today, I was reminded of that fact. In Safely Home, Randy Alcorn(author) describes what we can see as the back of a tapestry. It is full of loose threads and knots. We think we can somewhat make out the picture on the other side, but it is not clear. In truth the picture we see is distorted and backwards. But on the other side of that tapestry lays a beautiful piece of art that Christ is creating. That loose thread that is driving us crazy, that trial or disappointment or hurt, is part of a beautiful picture Christ is making.
It is hard to feel this way when we are in the midst of trials that just leave us discouraged. I have seen and even felt a lot of discouragement lately. I see it in my family at home and my Church family. I see it in my daughter's eyes when she has to face yet another hurt from someone that should be doing better for her. I see it in my friend as she deals with what feels like impossible situations. I see it in my husband as he gets weary from working long hours to provide, and then has another appliance or vehicle break down. I feel it myself when another day goes by and I don't hear from that one person I miss so terribly that it is like a physical hunger.
I don't want to make a false image of Christ. I don't want to see Jesus in the wrong light, like a magic genie, the way so many in the churches across America see Him. Jesus is a Savior. He loves us. He died so we could have a relationship with Him. But He is also a Holy and Righteous Judge. I don't want the times and things that could lead me to discouragement to cause me to feel even an ounce of resentment or frustration or anger against my King.
God can and does do amazing, miraculous things. I sometimes think that we know that God can do these things, and when He doesn't, we feel that He has failed us. But, we are only looking at the back of the tapestry. While my problems feel and, to a degree, are serious; I know they could be worse. I am not facing persecution for my faith the way my brothers and sisters in Christ are all over the world. I read stories of missionaries and Christians overseas facing horrible persecution, trusting in God anyway, even with the knowledge that they could be tortured, jailed, or killed. Yet, they still trust in Christ and His ultimate plan.
Many of the trials of those around me are serious. When you have been abused, that is serious. When you find out your health is deteriorating, that is serious. When you have no way to support your family, that is serious. Praying for these trials is exactly what we should be doing, even when it feels like it our prayers aren't being heard. God hears them. He knows what we are facing. He knows what we need. We can take comfort in His very presence and the knowledge that we aren't facing these trials alone. He is with us.
I think that we often wish to be free of the trial instead. We get weary. We get frustrated. We try to handle things on our own. We do what we can do, and don't trust God to do what we can't, so we keep pushing to try to do more than we can do. Then.... we often end up with a big mess on our hands.
I am the first to admit that I do this way too often. I thank God that He finds ways to remind me that He is designing and sewing that tapestry. His side shows the beautiful image that is being formed. It is perfect and complete.
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