“And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined He also called, those He called He also justified, those He justified He also glorified.” Romans 8:27-30
The older I get the more I’m learning that my life doesn’t necessarily follow a set path so much as it is a puzzle made up of the pieces of my life that God is putting together according to His great plan to make a beautiful picture and reflection of Himself.
I have boys who play youth sports. Maybe you are in the same stage of life and I don’t need to say anything else. But if you’re not, navigating the waters of sports, teams and leagues to play for is like searching for your compass as your ship is sinking. I often wonder if the decisions that our family have made concerning youth sports have been the right ones for our children. Are we too late? If they don’t play on the right team at the right time in their development is it all over for them? How do you know which team is right? Hindsight is always 20/20. However, I’ve always said and truly believe that nothing I do or don’t do can thwart God’s plans for my children. If sports are in God’s plan for their future He will make a way for them to be on the team He wants them on.
I also have nephews and a niece in college making career plans and critical life decisions. The stress over which college to attend, what to study, what job to take, or finding the right spouse make this transitional season in life one full of inner angst and turmoil.
I can relate on so many levels to all of their anxiety. It is only as I have gotten older and had the benefit of hindsight that I have realized God always puts the pieces of my life together in a way that glorifies Himself. Just as you might put a jigsaw puzzle together in seemingly random order, at the moment, the way the pieces of your life are being laid out before you might not exactly make sense because you can’t see the bigger picture.
I too can remember agonizing over what to study in college, which job to take, who to marry, etc. I was terribly afraid I was going to make the wrong decision or costly mistake that would affect me the rest of my life. Although I prayed and sought God’s will daily, as it often is with many life decisions, I never saw the writing in the clouds or on the wall. I was desperately trying to aim for the bullseye of God’s will for my life, but I couldn’t even see the target. What I know now is that sin is missing the mark. Seeking the Lord is the bullseye.
As our founder Kim always reminded me, “There is freedom in Christ.” Although, major decisions in our lives should be taken seriously and given much prayer, we can trust the hand of our Heavenly Father to direct our steps, light our paths and put the puzzling pieces of our lives together in such a way that only He can to capture the reflection of Himself in every tiny little detail of our lives. It doesn’t always feel right. It’s not always comfortable and can sometimes even be painful but He sees the bigger picture when we can’t even figure out how this piece is going to fit in!
Back to the youth sports. We’ve seen coaches concerned only with winning and we’ve seen coaches who love our boys and want them to grow, not only as athletes but as men of God. The losses in life teach us lessons and help us to grow stronger and wiser, just like an athlete learns from losses on the court. Every decision we make, every puzzling piece of our life isn’t about the win. Sometimes it feels like we really are the biggest loser, but those seeming losses are just one more piece in the puzzle of our lives. Keep your chin up. The victory is already ours in Christ! He won the battle when He conquered sin and death, dying on the cross and rising again. As God trains us in righteousness on the court of our life, He is growing and conforming us to become more like His Son. If you are following Him, you’re on the right team and nothing can thwart His plans for you as He puts all the pieces of your life together to bring Him glory.
His servant and yours,
Paula