Ever try to put a puzzle together? After gathering all of the pieces, most people take a critical next step.
Without taking this step, it's almost impossible to put the puzzle together!
What is it?
You examine the completed big picture on the puzzle box.
After all, seeing the completed picture helps you begin to see where the individual pieces fit!
Far too many believers in Jesus are stumbling through life, consumed with temptations and distractions, messing around with individual puzzle pieces without taking time to see God’s completed picture and how they fit.
Does that describe you currently?
If so, it's time for a new mindset!
Just imagine yourself healthy, healed, and whole. How does the “completed” big picture of your life look? Take time to ask the Lord for a new vision, writing it and making it plain (see Habbukkuk 2:2)!
Just like putting the corner pieces in place in your natural puzzle, recognize that Jesus is your chief cornerstone, as stated in Matthew 21:42:
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?
Next, in assembling a natural puzzle, you would put together the edge pieces to make a frame. Regarding your life puzzle, it's wise to make God's word your frame:
By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible (Hebrews 11:3).
Finally, you'd begin to put the individual middle pieces in place with God’s help, ordering your daily time and choices accordingly.
Beware of the enemy, who may try to get you to magnify one individual piece, deceiving you into thinking that one piece is the whole puzzle!
Again, always keep the big picture in mind.
How does seeing life from the big picture perspective make me feel? Here are some scriptures that guide me and I hope they encourage you too:
- I feel peaceful: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27 NKJV)."
- I have abundant God-confidence: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).”
- I see the big picture: “And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business (Luke 2:49 NKJV)?””
- I see myself as part of God's big picture: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV).”
- I do my part in God's big picture and remove any stumbling blocks in my way, making my life easier: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV).”
When you take the time to establish your vision and see yourself as part of God's big picture, it helps you to put life in perspective and face daily challenges in God's power!