Puzzled?

We are on vacation this week and a favorite activity for our family is puting together a puzzle.

I am however, not the most adept at it. Here is what my job looks like. Turn the pieces over, find the flat ones for the edges and then group together simliar colors and patterns. After these items are accomplished I begin to feel a little "puzzled". There are so many different shapes and colors and all of a sudden I just want to stop playing this game. You know what I mean? It is similar to the times that I begin a task that seems way to big for me. A diet, a tough converstion, saying no when I want to say yes, cleaning out the junk drawer, or pushing through the tiredness to finish a workout. It is about this time in the puzzle putting together that my husband Kevin, the master puzzler, hands me a piece and says, "try this one". It almost always does. To every 25 that I have tried he has 10. How does he see where the pieces go? I am too overwhelmed by all of the pieces to see clearly.

God in the midst of this puzzle spoke to me.

"Jann, Jann, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one
thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away
from her."

" fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith,"

I can easily become anxious and worried when I am concerned with the big picture. I think about how difficult it will be and am not sure I will know how to do what is necessary. God used this puzzle to remind me that He is the master at creating our life. He is incharge of all of the puzzle pieces and that He will hand us each piece as we fix our eyes on him. He knows what the picture looks like.

How about you?

• Are you struggling to keep all of the pieces together?


• Does the big picture leave you feeling overwhelmed?
• 
  
  Are you trying to do everything on your own strength?



• Are you having a tough time taking the first step?

Stop and ask God to help you fix your eyes on Him. Let him direct your steps.

Father,

Thank you for using the puzzle to teach me more about you. Your words are true and speak directly to my heart. Take my life and hand me the puzzle pieces. I promise to put them where you direct me to. I love that you are directing this crazy life and that you see not only my big picture but the big picture.

Jann