The Piece That Fits All Others
Written by Meredith Lopez
Love never fails.
But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when completeness comes,
what is in part disappears.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10
If you were to ask my friends and family if I enjoy jigsaw puzzles, they’d answer without hesitation that I do. They may even tell you I love them, but that isn’t exactly true.
The first puzzle I attempted was an autumn scene of aspen trees. I was eight. It was way above my ability. When I began pounding the pieces together with my fist to make them fit, my aunt put it away.
Not being a huge fan of struggle, I didn’t make a real attempt at putting together another puzzle until a few years ago and only because a friend enjoyed them. Although age made the activity more doable, I still found it frustrating and tedious.
At different points, I was convinced that we had pieces that didn’t even belong to our puzzle, that pieces were missing, that it was poorly made and therefore impossible to figure out, and, and, and! See the previous statement regarding not being a huge fan of struggle.
The thing is though, eventually, we got to the last couple of pieces. A kaleidoscope of butterflies was spread across the table. It became obvious that everything would indeed fit together. My friend graciously allowed me to put in the last piece and only laughed a little at my awe. I was hooked.
It’s extremely difficult for me to make sense of many different pieces of my life. Complicated relationships, callings pursued diligently that didn’t work out as hoped, pain that still seems utterly pointless, and pain that has been mercifully redeemed ushering in unexpected joy and life. The butterfly puzzle was completed in a particularly painful season of life, one full of questions, anger, and doubt in God.
Paul reminds us in this passage that our entire perception of everything is partial. Incomplete. God’s plans and purposes are very often beyond us, above our ability to comprehend. Often, we respond with some version of fist pounding, desperate to make everything fit together, uncomfortable with the struggle.
Jesus is the completeness we long for. The piece that fits all the others together. Trusting Him allows us to experience peace, and hope amid all the pieces of existence that aren’t neatly fitting together yet.
You’ll frequently find me working on a puzzle. I am not sure if I love or enjoy it. It’s a discipline that helps me focus on the truth that our Savior is trustworthy. I don’t see the full picture, but He does. He can and will fit it all together which means I can rest. And hope expectantly.
The first puzzle I attempted was an autumn scene of aspen trees. I was eight. It was way above my ability. When I began pounding the pieces together with my fist to make them fit, my aunt put it away.
Not being a huge fan of struggle, I didn’t make a real attempt at putting together another puzzle until a few years ago and only because a friend enjoyed them. Although age made the activity more doable, I still found it frustrating and tedious.
At different points, I was convinced that we had pieces that didn’t even belong to our puzzle, that pieces were missing, that it was poorly made and therefore impossible to figure out, and, and, and! See the previous statement regarding not being a huge fan of struggle.
The thing is though, eventually, we got to the last couple of pieces. A kaleidoscope of butterflies was spread across the table. It became obvious that everything would indeed fit together. My friend graciously allowed me to put in the last piece and only laughed a little at my awe. I was hooked.
It’s extremely difficult for me to make sense of many different pieces of my life. Complicated relationships, callings pursued diligently that didn’t work out as hoped, pain that still seems utterly pointless, and pain that has been mercifully redeemed ushering in unexpected joy and life. The butterfly puzzle was completed in a particularly painful season of life, one full of questions, anger, and doubt in God.
Paul reminds us in this passage that our entire perception of everything is partial. Incomplete. God’s plans and purposes are very often beyond us, above our ability to comprehend. Often, we respond with some version of fist pounding, desperate to make everything fit together, uncomfortable with the struggle.
Jesus is the completeness we long for. The piece that fits all the others together. Trusting Him allows us to experience peace, and hope amid all the pieces of existence that aren’t neatly fitting together yet.
You’ll frequently find me working on a puzzle. I am not sure if I love or enjoy it. It’s a discipline that helps me focus on the truth that our Savior is trustworthy. I don’t see the full picture, but He does. He can and will fit it all together which means I can rest. And hope expectantly.
Reflective Question for the Day
What discipline or activity helps you to rest and hope in Jesus?
When will you set aside time for it in the coming days?
Meredith Lopez’s favorite Christmas book is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever By Barbara Robinson. Taking turns reading it aloud was one of her favorite Christmas traditions growing up. When she was eight she received a stuffed bear she christened Spicy. He is still the best Christmas gift she’s received and continues to be an excellent companion.