God's Puzzle Pieces

by Macy Johnson

“Peter jumped to his feet and ran to the tomb. He stooped to look in and saw a few grave clothes, that’s all. He walked away puzzled, shaking his head.”

(Luke 24:12 MSG)

Do you ever shake your head and feel “puzzled” like Peter? 

You think the best next steps are in front of you, but something’s not right, something’s out of place. Peter expected Jesus’ body to be in the tomb, but it wasn’t.

Twenty-eight puzzles down, boxed up and put away, I was a little cocky, overly confident. Most of the puzzles my husband and I construct are not too demanding. But number twenty-nine was a bear, a real challenge for both of us. We were puzzled over the puzzle.

Generally-accepted rules of puzzle assembly are:

-      Every piece has a pre-cut spot.

-      Most pieces need “neighbors” to make sense, to form a picture. They rarely stand alone.

Life is like a giant, living puzzle. Each day presents a new chapter in His story, ready to be assembled. Although life’s pieces oftentimes don’t seem to fit, our heavenly Father gently places them perfectly into the developing scene. 

A phone call, text or email fits into one corner. An unexpected meeting with a friend in the produce aisle fits into another. A casual supper with family or friends fills the center.

One day a single puzzle piece was accidentally flicked to the floor by my shirt sleeve. I went down on my hands and knees to search…nothing. Getting up, my finger brushed against something. It was the missing piece! God reminded me that He is with us even in the scattered puzzle pieces, literally and figuratively.

I will trust God to help put the pieces of my day in their proper places and create a new masterpiece for His glory! I hope you will, too!