What does the bigger picture look like?

My friend and I have been talking about the bigger picture we believe God has for our lives. Well, it wasn’t that easy nor was it an easy path or position to be, contemplating, wondering and questioning Life about life. But there we were with so much in us, so much we believe for and still looking ahead to in God. How then did we come to this position?  A position where it feels like something is not in its rightful place in whatever we were expecting or hoping to come out of our lives. 

In our early years, we had dreams visions and plans to conquer the world. We still do, do not get us wrong. Just that this time, we know something better, pure, right and clear. Conquering the world is just not in the way everyone thinks about it. We have learnt conquering the world is not the world. Define the world to you. To us, it is everything and everyone around us, people, missions, and responsibilities we carry as we live to God, ourselves and those around us. 

What went wrong with the bigger picture we had?

There are a lot of things we could have chosen before or choose now to dwell upon. What went wrong? What went right? Well, one thing is for sure, we know we have grown in faith and know God since then. We have journeyed with God so far for us to be here yet, that little thing, uneasy kept creeping in.  

Fear, sense of loss, not being, doing enough, there must be something wrong. Well, there isn’t, nor was there anything missing. Of course, our current life is the result of many things. Not doing, doing and being. That is to say, we take responsibility for how our lives have turned out right now. But, if we didn’t choose to do what we didn’t and if we did choose to do what we chose, when we did, with faith and peace, why should we be feeling this now? 

Fear, the enemy is planting disbelief. Trying to pull us out of what we believed, makes us anxious and worry about things that may have never even happened because, the One we believe in, is in control and we believe, this journey is not finished. 

The Persian Rug, the bigger picture 

I was watching this documentary about these historical and Christian scholars, talking about Iran and how God used Iran (Persia) and keep His promise to Israel. Citing the story from the bible, the books of the prophets, Isaiah, Zechariah, etc. when Israel was in Babylon.  

Something just gets you to understand how God uses people, kings, and sometimes enemies to bring his will to pass. This is profound. The love of God is just mighty, every piece of the story of salvation you read in the Bible. From the first prophet to the last, from the first king to the last, salvation, salvation to the ultimate Salvation through Christ Jesus the last and ultimate Saviour.  

What else caught my attention was something the author said. Along the way, the doc showed different clips of this person knitting the Persian rugs; and Iranian rugs. Many colours, and patterns are unknown and everything is just so random. When the carpet was done, the back side of the carpet was full of knots, hard knots and some mix-up threads. According to one source, there are at least 400 knots per inch in these woven rugs that take months to years to be completed. Depending on the design complexity to size which goes hand in hand with the softication or delicate nature of the materials used.  

The actual big picture in the Persian Rug 

But when the carpet was turned to the upper, open side, the pattern was so beautiful, knitted intentionally and so unique. This just gets you to understand the following 

• All along the way, the person knew what he was doing 

• The work was for a season of time 

• In the end, everything made sense and the work was perfect 

• Uniquely made, takes time and yes, it is Work 

Why were these insights so profound to me?  

I have witnessed and seen some Turkish carpets before. The colors, uniqueness, cost and well everything about them was so beautiful. It just gave me ideas. Well, although here we are about the Iranian carpets, the picture was so vivid. But that’s not it. 

• Take life as that thread in the hand of the maker who takes his time to come up with the design, pattern and yes, time to work it out.  

• Imagine the thread along the way says to the maker, I want to make me. So let it go and let me knit myself. I wonder how that will turn out. With everything we are, of course, our choices can affect how we move, live and have our being in Christ. Yet, by His mercies and grace, love and goodness, even when we go astray he waits patiently for us to go back to surrendering. 

We might have a picture of what we want our lives to be, look like and be experienced. But, is that everything there is in this life? What is your end like? What do you expect your end to be like? Or rather what’s the end you see about yourself?

The Carpet and the Weaver

The maker knows how the pattern and carpet will be at the end. Does the carpet know? Well, its job is to surrender and believe, that every tightening, twisting and knotting is for the good. Just as we need to believe there is a time for everything under the sun. And sometimes, we experience things that may make us question God. 

The good thing, we are not just living the life, we carry Life itself within us. We are his parts, He is our core. This is different. Not only do we see the patterns, but also we can ask, questions, and communicate with him to understand. And the best thing, He answers.  

Do you believe in Jesus, the LORD God and Saviour for your life?

Life, like the carpet made by the person, does make sense. And will make sense in the end. As long as we do not go after our own choices and decisions and have our time cut short or miss the grace period.  

• Of course, his mercies are forever, but this is the grace period. How hardened must you be to not understand what it means about how things run right now?  

Grace period. There is a universal, until that day when Christ shows up. There is a personal one. How do you react to the persecution, trials and tribulations? Do you conform to whatever you see fit or do you fight to stand? For Galatians 5, after taking the Armour of God and everything with it, the goal is to stand. And therefore STAND. 

So, dear Christian, whatever it is,  

• Life is beautiful 

• Life makes sense 

• In the end, goodness wins.

• And this story makes sense 

Like a beautiful Iranian carpet, the pattern is clear and your life, when lived in surrender will glorify the maker when the work is finished.

Your life seasons can be a series of beautiful carpets finished again and again making the ultimate pack of your life stories, told in different colourful patterned carpets. The bigger picture of your life is better than the knots you are feeling twisted. Keep believing in God, choose Jesus daily and live accordingly. Faith is with works. Faith is demonstrable not a secret. Ask for wisdom, grace and power to live this life, as Life purposed.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forever. AMEN.
2 Corinthians 13:14

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