Piecing Together the Grand Design

Nothing that happens in our life is isolated. In God’s hands, they are all fashioned and pieced together to complete a beautiful purpose.

Just as in a jigsaw puzzle each piece by itself stands solitary, even meaningless, yet when fitted together with other parts, forms a beautiful picture; in much the same way, God’s purpose for our lives can be likened to one big, complex grand design made up of hundreds of thousands of pieces. Taking this imagination further, in a simplistic way, we could compare each piece in this glorious picture as a part of the character that God is producing in us. Every piece is formed through life’s circumstances, trials and troubles; for as Paul tells the Romans, “…tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character” (Rom. 5:3, 4). Peter calls it “the proof of your faith” (1Pet. 1:7). 

The pieces of God’s grand design for each individual are not like the ones we use in a jigsaw puzzle, made of wood or hardboard, but rather crafted and moulded with utmost care, fashioned as in the hands of a master craftsman (Jer. 18:6). Every single piece is made to last. They are made precious, more precious than gold when tested by fire (1Pet. 1:7). Every piece is important—each different, some a bit more difficult and demanding than others—nevertheless very important. Each piece has a place in the overall design that God is piecing together. Without it, the picture would be incomplete.

The believing heart knows that God is in control of his life’s overall picture. Such a heart is convinced that the One he trusts knows exactly where each piece goes. The man of faith recognizes that God can visualize the entire design and has known the end picture from the beginning. The soul that relies on the perfect wisdom of God knows that His Maker can never go wrong. While his external eyes looks at the power of God in all of creation; and his heart’s eye looks at the grand picture his Creator is putting together with that same power, his inner ears listens to the Master exclaim, “It is good” (Gen. 1:18, 21, 25, 31).

If a jigsaw puzzle has a castle in it, the one who holds a single piece knows that that piece is just one part and many different pieces would need to fit together to complete the castle. In much the same way, if God is working on say the character of patience, it would require many situations in our life corresponding to patience before that character is perfected. Likewise, the character of love or humility or the fruits of the Holy Spirit are other parts of God’s grand design. Last week I wrote how the life of “Christ in us” (Col. 1:27) is an integral part of the last chapter in God’s Redemption Story. With such a goal in mind it is not difficult to imagine how God works all things for our good (Rom. 8:28) so that the new man that He has made us in Christ Jesus is daily being renewed according to the image of the One who created him (Col. 3:10).

To bring about such godly character, we all know the discipline of our Father in heaven (Heb. 12:10). His wisdom demands that such a quality of holiness be formed in fire. The crude edges and wasteful nature must be burned as the master craftsman fashions carefully the delicate curves and projections of every piece in His grand design. We are all too familiar that some aspects of godly character require greater heat in the furnace of testing. Like in Daniel’s book, the furnace may be heated seven times more than it is usually heated (Dan. 3:19), yet like the three god-fearing men in that fire, we too can “be still” (Psa. 46:10) for we shall never be burned.

It would be important to remember at this point of time that God has granted to each of us the free will to choose. Should we choose to avoid the fire, our Father would not compel us. He would strive to persuade us but He will never over rule our choice. If we choose to compromise our way out of situations in our attempt to minimise the heat, we can be almost certain that we would ruin the piece that God is trying to fashion. It will not interlock in the curves and projections of the other pieces. God may have to start again and He will because of His patient, compassionate, longsuffering nature. Rejecting a piece would leave the picture incomplete. Eliminating several pieces would ruin the overall design completely. So while fashioning every piece of His grand design for our lives, may He find in our hearts the faith that knows that God will not allow us to be tested beyond our ability to bear but with the testing will provide a way of escape also, that we may be able to endure it (1Cor. 10:13).

Submission to the Master Designer, the eternal builder and architect is key to completing God’s plan for our lives. Believing that He who is on the throne, in sovereign control; who with wisdom and power ordains all things for our good (Rom. 8:28) and works within us to will and to do (Php. 2:13) will produce in us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. 

Jesus said, “My Father is working even now and I Myself am working” (Jn. 5:17). We need to constantly seek His face for strength that like Joshua, we would be strong and very courageous. We won’t pray that God will take away the fire, but that He gives us the grace and strength to persevere with faith and patience (Heb. 6:12) as He takes us through it. Our attitude while God works in us plays a critical role. This is why the Bible repeatedly exhorts us to rejoice in the Lord always (Php. 4:4). In everything we ought to give thanks for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (1Thes. 5:18). God does not take pleasure in grumblers (1Cor. 10:10).

While I have used a puzzle game as a metaphor, to be sure, God is not playing any game. What we experience is His amazing grace which He richly lavishes upon us in Christ Jesus. I say this because God does not fit pieces together mechanically. He is our Father. He is mindful of us. There is immeasurable care and concern; patience and mercy; love and compassion in all that He does for us. Jesus Christ, having gone through what we are going through sympathizes with us as our great High Priest. This is why we are exhorted to draw near boldly to His throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16). 

Furthermore, God’s purpose goes way beyond just completing the life of individuals so that we are made “pure just as He is pure” (1Jn. 3:2-4). His grand design is far more complex than we can ever imagine. It could be likened to a combination of a million jigsaw puzzles fitted together. Each saint is being fitted together into a holy temple with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20-22). One living stone fitted perfectly with other living stones, being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1Pet. 2:4, 5). As we reflect on this truth we soon realize that God’s grand design is beyond “me”. My life’s picture is but one, yet an important one that fits beautifully and harmoniously in a much larger picture.

Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways. Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His councillor (Rom. 11:33, 34)? To Him be glory and honour and praise, now and forever.