Round puzzles. Square puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles. Crossword puzzles. Heart puzzles.
All puzzles have one thing in common – the pieces fit together to complete the whole. With one segment removed, it distorts the full picture. Just as a missing link weakens the chain, an omitted puzzle piece alters the final image. Yet a puzzle with all the pieces connected perfectly can make a beautiful picture.
This real-life puzzle analogy reminds me of life as a ministry leader. Let’s do a simple comparison:
The Misplaced Piece – Sometime we, as the connected pieces, try to fit others into ministry positions rather than allowing God to create and finish His Kingdom Puzzle. The result – disunity and disarray.
The Lone Piece – Sometimes we try to mold ourselves into positions. We end up forcing it to work rather than allowing God to fit us into His Kingdom Puzzle. The result – confusion rather than harmony.
The Takeover – Trying to fit our puzzle piece into “all” the positions distorts His Kingdom Puzzle. The result – exhaustion.
Beautifully designed to accomplish His purposes, God’s Kingdom Puzzle is best created by Him, for Him. His beautiful mosaics form an exquisite panorama of His glory.
Take a moment to reflect on this truth in light of your role in ministry. Are you letting God be the Puzzle Maker? Do you find yourself trying to fit into places God hasn’t designed for you? Or, are you trying to force others into His Kingdom Puzzle and fit positions they weren’t created to accomplish? Ask God to show you His plan and purpose for you as you serve Him. Remember, He is the ultimate puzzle maker. His designs bring perfection and completion.
From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16
How are you doing at letting God be the Puzzle Maker?
BONUS: Leave a comment and you could win Ribbons of Rainbows, a new children’s book by Reflective Life Ministries, along with their Reflecting Him Bible study. Winner will be selected randomly from comments submitted before Wednesday, February 25.
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