The Puzzle of Life

My family and I like to work on jigsaw puzzles from time to time. Typically it turns out to be an ongoing project. As a matter of fact, sometimes they even go unfinished for quite some time…if we give up because it got a little tough. In fact, we had unfinished puzzle on a piece of plywood sitting inside our extra room for probably nearly a year!

Our unfinished puzzle that was there quite a while!

A thought crossed my mind. Trying to run our own lives and figure everything out on our own is like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a puzzle of life. Additionally, it’s not just any puzzle. It’s a very intricate one where it’s hard to determine where things fit together. Not only that, we don’t even have the picture off of the box to look at to see what the finished product is supposed to look like.

Sure, we may be able to do all of the outside edges. The outsides are fairly easy to put together and find. Likewise, in our own lives we may be able to fix our outsides to look fine. On the surface we may look all put together, but then the middle or the insides are a jumbled mess with things missing everywhere.

Until God steps in

That is…it’s only a jumbled mess until we let God step in. You see, He’s got the box, the full picture. Furthermore, He’s the one who created this puzzle of life in the first place. So He knows exactly what it’s supposed to look like and how all the pieces fit together. With His help and direction we can put the pieces where they go and make sure everything fits where it’s supposed to.

“Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” Isaiah 46:10 (NLT) 

The thing is though, even with God’s help and direction, He still won’t give us the box or let us see the picture of the finished puzzle, at least not all of it all at once. Though, He may show us glimpses of it. We might see some upcoming, unfinished parts. That can help us know what we’re working toward, but we may not see exactly how to get there.

The finished parts and how they fit

He may even show us some of the finished parts. They might include the parts of our past that we didn’t understand. However, when He shows them to us now we see how they fit with everything else. Then all of a sudden some of that stuff that we went through makes sense.

We can see how God ended up using those things that the devil meant to harm us. He took them, used them and turned it around for good. Just like He did for Joseph.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 (NLT)

Enjoy the process of putting it together

Consequently, we won’t get to see the whole, big picture of the puzzle of life and probably never will until the puzzle is actually finished. We just need to enjoy putting it together with God. We need to enjoy spending quality time with Him. Isn’t that why we do puzzles to begin with? It’s not just to hurry and finish but to enjoy the process.

Similarly, we need to enjoy the process of our lives coming together, even the hard parts. After all, in the end, with God’s help and direction, it will be something beautiful, and we will enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. We too, then, might hear the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’” Matthew 25:21 (NLT) 

Take Some Practical Steps Work On Your Puzzle Of Life:

• First, realize that life is like a puzzle that comes together pieces at a time and that you probably won’t get to see a picture of what the finished product will look like in advance.

• Then, work on the insides of your puzzle of life too.

Don’t just focus on the making sure the outsides look complete. To make your life a beautiful finished product in the end, your internal soul and spirit need attention as well.

• Next, don’t give up when the puzzle of life gets hard—Get help instead from the one who knows what the finished product is supposed to look like.

Seek God’s direction, guidance and help. He will get you through the hard parts, and later He’ll even show you how He turned them to work out for your good in the end.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV)

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

“The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)

• Lastly, enjoy the process of putting the puzzle of life together!

In what ways have you seen that your life is like a puzzle slowly coming together? Have you been tempted to give up when it gets a little too hard? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) 

*Updated: original post 1/31/2017