This just in from our global online tribe: The Bible tells me in the book of Romans that all things work for good, but I cannot see that in my life. I only see the challenges and trials. What am I missing?
This important question vexes most Christians. In fact, many believers NEVER fully understand that God is creating a thing of beauty with their life until they get to heaven.
Just like this questioner, I was confused early in my faith walk until God left an enduring imprint on me through a TAPESTRY metaphor. From that point on, when what God is doing in my life looks messy and is difficult to understand, I focus on the incredible artistry on the FRONT side of a tapestry, the finished product. Then I can quickly turn to the BACK view and find comfort in the tangled and chaotic maze of threads.
Why comfort? Because the tapestry’s disorganized BACK represents the trials of life that seem to dominate our faith walk. You know–the difficult seasons and storms; and the challenging circumstances that inevitably sprout up around our relationships, emotions, finances, and health.
When God guides us safely through our stormy trials and into his calm harbor, we get a glimpse of the tapestry’s front side where he used every single thread to create something significant and beautiful.
But it’s not just the product of the storms that end up on the front side of our life’s tapestry. There are also blessings and surprises and joy lovingly threaded in there by God.
In the process, we can see ourselves being transformed more into his likeness (Isaiah 61:3) and realize that God does weave everything together for our good (Romans 8:28).
God’s creation of my life’s tapestry is a life-long process that I trust him to complete (Philippians 1:6). I am content for now waiting until my face-to-face encounter with him for the tapestry’s full reveal (I Corinthians 13:12).
I ask God to remind me every day to look beyond the messiness of my life and fully trust that HE is weaving a wonderful tapestry to HIS glory.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you struggling to see what God is doing with your life’s tapestry? What can you learn from this message about looking beyond the “messy parts” of life to know with certainty that “God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
