The Picture On The Box

May 26

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord …

Jeremiah 29:11

Brad and Sharon loved jigsaw puzzles. However, this one was going to be a

challenge. Brad had purchased what he thought was a wonderful acquisition.

He’d picked up a five-thousand piece puzzle at a yard sale. The $1 dollar catch

was that there was no box; only the puzzle in a cellophane bag.

He smiled as he handed his wife the puzzle. Seeing the bag, Sharon asked,

“Where’s the box?” The look on Brad’s face told her all she needed to know.

“I can’t believe you bought a puzzle without the box! You know how crucial

the picture is to figuring out which piece goes where. How do you propose we

assemble this puzzle without it?”

Brad, having prepared for her reaction on the way home, argued, “I’ve

already got that all figured out,” he said proudly. “We’ll lay the pieces out, face

up, set the border by the straight edges, then assemble pieces with the same

colors, and so on; we’ll figure it out. C’mon. It’ll be fun!”

Shaking her head in mock annoyance, Sharon answered with a disclaimer,

“Only if you promise me you won’t buy any more puzzles without the box.”

h

In the natural, we view our lives in terms of a jigsaw puzzle; we see innumer-

able events that have no apparent connection, and the sum of all the parts is

still undefined. Yet, we hope that someday it will portray a beautiful and com-

plete picture.

And as in today’s story, we sometimes blindly proceed, doing the best we

can in view of what we have to work with, sorting through the pieces, trying

to find the ones that fit. Sometimes they fall easily into place; other times, due

to a lack of spiritual perspective, we jam mismatched pieces together in our

attempt to make them fit.

Don’t become discouraged. Instead, relax in the knowledge that God sees

us with Spiritual eyes. He knows what the picture on the box is supposed to

look like.

If we yield the pieces of our lives to His care, He can, and promises to take

each one and make them interlock perfectly.

Prayer

“Take the pieces of my life, Lord, and make

them into something beautiful. Amen.”

 I Want Mercy!

May 25

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 5:7

“I’ll never forgive them!” Jim screamed as he flew out of the pastor’s office. His

anger left no room for reasonable thought.

He had begun having nightmares since being mugged three weeks ago and

couldn’t seem to get a grip on his emotions. He’d tried sleeping pills, even tried

drinking himself to sleep once; neither had the desired effect. Strained to the

point of emotional bankruptcy, Jim decided to speak with his pastor and try

discussing his problems.

But that had been a joke! The pastor had listened and then told Jim he

should try to forgive these men. He had told Jim that forgiving them would

set him free from the memories of that night. He hadn’t said one word about

them asking Jim for forgiveness. Jim was indignant. How dare he tell me I need

to forgive them!

His wife continued to pray, but Jim just became increasingly bitter. Even-

tually it consumed his life; he became morose and died from heart complica-

tions several years later.

h

Forgiving those who have hurt us is not about giving up revenge and getting

even; it is about setting ourselves free from the burden of resentment and bit-

terness. It is about mercy and unmerited favor; it is about grace.

What others do is between them and God.

When Christ hung on Calvary’s cross, it was an act of mercy and unmer-

ited favor for us. He didn’t have to go. He chose to out of a love so deep that

he would rather be humiliated, tortured, and die a pain-filled death rather than

live without us in eternity!

We can choose to hang on to the burden of acts committed against us. But

at what cost do we give up our rights and give it to Jesus? If we want mercy

but struggle to give it ourselves, God can’t provide it. That is a spiritual law.

Remember, we reap what we sow. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the

Lord Almighty.” He meant it, so leave it up to Him.

Prayer

“Merciful Father, forgive me for my pride and arrogance.

Touch my heart with a desire to forgive. Show me how to

forgive others who have hurt me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Who’s to Blame?

May 24

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have

against one another.

Colossians 3:13

He set the VCR on record and went back to reading. He knew she hadn’t

seen this episode. They could watch it together when she got home.

Returning home, his wife noticed the VCR on record and asked in apprehen-

sion, “What tape are you using?” Instantly he knew what he’d done! The look

on his face said what he couldn’t voice. “Nooooo!” she cried in anguish.

They’d been watching home videos of their children that morning—pre-

cious times and events they had cherished for over twenty years—and now

they were gone.

Recorded over them was a meaningless TV show, and there was nothing

either of them could do about it.

For the next few hours they lived under the weight of his mistake, silently

blaming themselves and each other for the destruction of the tape—she feeling

anger and frustration because she’d told him not to worry about recording this

show; he because she left the tape in the VCR after they had finished watching

it; both because they should have removed the tab present on all VHS tapes

to prevent this very thing from happening. Both were responsible, each could

place blame, but both chose to forgive.

h

If we look to place blame, we will find opportunity. Each of us has at one time

or another displayed glaring shortcomings.

What happens following gut-wrenching disappointment at the hands of

another is determined by whether we choose to place blame or forgive. Each

time we face difficulties such as this, we are given a choice: do we ask God to

give us the grace to overcome the temptation to blame or allow our irritation

to foster bitterness?

There will always be someone to blame. Yet, who’s to blame is not as

important as who loses when we blame. The act of blaming sets us up as judge

and jury. The act of forgiveness sets us free of the heaviness and sorrow. We

reap what we sow. Which would you rather experience? Blame or forgiveness?

Prayer

“Set me free of blame, Lord. I know I’ve made

mistakes and been forgiven. Help me extend that

same grace to others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 The Fleece

May 23

If there is dew on the fleece … then I will know.

Judges 6:37

What they were doing looked like foolishness to those who didn’t understand

spiritual matters. Yet that hadn’t stopped their work. And they were ninety-

nine percent sure that God wanted them to continue their ministry. But want-

ing to be completely sure, they decided to put out a fleece. It had worked for

Gideon. “Okay, Lord. You’ve led us this far. You even revealed the person we

are to pray about. We haven’t seen him in months. If You want us to continue

what we’re doing, cause this man to come back into our lives by the end of the

week.” With that, they went back to the work of their ministry.

The fleece had been laid out on Monday. It was now Saturday morning. To

this point, the man was a no-show. Time was running short, yet they continued

to watch in faith.

As it happened, there was an annual festival being held that day in their

small town, just a few vendors selling their wares, a country band for entertain-

ment, and a small car show. They enjoyed the beautiful day, holding hands as

they walked and talked with friends and family. Just as they were about to leave,

a man appeared from the crowd; he waved and walked toward them. The man

in their fleece!

God had provided unmistakable evidence that He intended them to con-

tinue in what they were doing. God had responded, and it had settled the

matter for them.

h

Not all our petitions receive this obvious an answer. Most of the time, we must

interpret God’s response through His Word, circumstances, continual prayer,

and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Yet sometimes God removes all doubt.

God is not too big to be asked the difficult questions, nor too small to

deliver an appropriate answer. What He wants more than anything is for us to

ask. God wasn’t put off by Gideon’s fleece, not even the second time he asked.

It was God’s opportunity to reveal His nature to Gideon. He wants to do the

same with us.

Prayer

“Help me step outside the natural into a supernatural

spiritual life, Lord. Cause me to disregard the

distractions and remain focused on You. Amen.”

 I Didn’t Tell You to Do That

May 22

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his

good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Romans 12:2b

Austin knew God was speaking directly to him as the pastor said, “Sometimes

we cry out to God and ask, ‘What’s going on, Lord? Things are so screwed up.

I don’t understand it. What happened?’ To which God replies, ‘You weren’t

listening. I didn’t tell you to do that.’”

Austin silently said, “You didn’t say no when I asked, Lord.”

God’s response was immediate. “I didn’t say no. But I didn’t say yes either. I

didn’t tell you to do what you did.” Then he felt God say, “What you did wasn’t

sin; it just wasn’t what I told you to do. I gave you specific instructions. You

chose to do something else. Your actions delayed My plan but did not stop it.”

And in that moment, Austin’s frustration over a recent situation became

clear. He hadn’t been able to figure out why God wasn’t providing in the way

he thought He should. Now he knew why.

Austin silently repented of his action and committed to doing what God

had instructed him to do before. He was still learning to listen to God. It

seemed like listening would forever be an ongoing lesson.

h

Austin hadn’t heard the audible voice of God, but it was as close as it got! He

knew the Holy Spirit was relating God’s thoughts to him. Austin had spent

time learning to interpret God’s voice by spending time with God. He’d speak

(pray), then listen for God’s response (meditate).

God speaks to us through His Word; prayer; His Spirit; His people, and

our circumstances. Each is specific, and each requires time learning to inter-

pret. But Paul says we can figure it out.

Listening for God to speak is a discipline that requires our attention and

silence. We can’t hear God’s answer if we’re doing all the talking.

Start at the beginning. Pick up His Word and prayerfully read it a little

at a time.

Once we learn to speak the language, we will make better-informed deci-

sions with less of a chance of hearing, “I didn’t tell you to do that.”

Prayer

“Help me listen for Your voice, Lord. Then

help me follow in faith. Amen.”

 Momentarily Distracted

May 21

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus … so that you will not grow weary.

Hebrews 12:2,3

It was the state track and field championships, and James was confident. He’d

cruised to victory in his qualifier and didn’t expect any serious competition in

this event.

He’d trained hard for the one-hundred-meter hurdles, spending several

hours each day perfecting his technique. He could soar over all ten hurdles,

clearing them by no more than an inch. It was all in the snap and lean.

“Take your mark, set … ” Pow! The starter’s pistol sounded.

James got a good start and quickly took the lead. Snap the leg, stretch for the

next hurdle, stride, he repeated to himself.

As he approached the final hurdle, James’ lead had increased to ten meters

over his nearest competitor. Glancing left and right to see where everyone else

was, James’s focus was momentarily distracted—just long enough for him to

mistime the last hurdle.

Striking the top of the hurdle with his lead foot, James stumbled and fell

headlong onto the track.

What had appeared to be a state title turned into devastating disappointment.

As he lay there regaining his senses, James realized he’d struck the hurdle

because he’d waited too long to look back. That split second of distraction had

caused him to misjudge the distance; it had cost him the race.

h

It only takes one brief moment to become distracted. The pride of self-suffi-

ciency can take our eyes off our intended target. In doing so, even for a moment,

we can miss the mark, become disoriented, and possibly lose the race.

Distraction is one of Satan’s most frequently used weapons. “Hey, over

here,” he whispers. And we unwisely give credit to a defeated enemy, looking

away from Jesus for a glimpse at the world.

It’s hard to remain constantly focused on Christ, not giving rent to the

devil.

That’s why the author of Hebrews was so adamant about fixing our eyes on

Jesus, not just casually glancing His way once in a while.

There will always be hurdles in life, and we must have single-minded pur-

pose if we are to clear them safely.

Prayer

“I tend to lose sight of You from time to time, Lord.

Help me fix my sight on You alone. Amen.”

 The Kid and the Camaro

May 20

Feed my sheep.

John 21:17

“No way! You serious?” Benjy asked.

Kyle, his older brother, had just handed him the keys to his 1968 Z28 Camaro.

Kyle looked him straight in the eye and said, “It was always gonna be

yours, kid. Just ‘cause you made a mistake didn’t mean I wasn’t gonna follow

through on my promise. Just don’t do anything stupid, okay?”

Kyle was referring to a night six months ago when he was still in Afghani-

stan. Benjy had snuck the Camaro out for a joyride and had gotten stopped for

speeding. His dad had made him write Kyle a letter explaining the incident.

Benjy figured Kyle would be so angry that he wouldn’t follow through on his

promise to give him the car when he turned eighteen.

But Kyle understood. He’d made mistakes. Looking at the excitement on

his little brother’s face, Kyle had to smile. All the times he and Benjy had

shared working on the car before he’d shipped out on this last tour of duty had

provided precious memories while he was away. Benjy had spent more hours

washing and waxing the Z than Kyle had!

He pulled Benjy’s letter from his pocket and handed it to him. “Don’t

forget, but don’t let it define your future.” A look of sorrow replaced the excite-

ment on Benjy’s face momentarily; true remorse showed he was sorry for his

impulsive action.

h

Has Jesus ever reinstated you? Has He taken you back to something or some-

place you have abused and given it back?

Restoring is what Jesus does. He isn’t looking to break our will, just bend

it in the right direction.

Peter’s heart was right. He’d just demonstrated a streak of impetuousness

that needed eradicated.

We’ve all done things that we shouldn’t have—some of them pretty seri-

ous, some of them harmful. But that’s what is so amazing about the grace of

God. It cannot be outrun! It’s always there, waiting for us to fulfill our mission,

waiting to restore us to a place of healing, where our impulsiveness is turned

into kingdom purpose.

As in Peter’s case, he’d made mistakes. But Jesus didn’t allow it to define

his future.

Prayer

“Thank You for that grace that never stops pursuing

me, Lord. Help me redefine my future. Amen.”