Friday, 19 September 2008
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God's Pattern for Our Lives
by miss poppy
I love to knit, and one of my favorite things to make is lace.
The thing about a lace pattern is that while you're in the middle of it, it looks strange. You intentionally make a hole here and there, and then you might knit two or three stitches together. I just have to believe that if I'm following the pattern, something beautiful will be created. Finally, when I'm done with the pattern, I can look back and see the way each stitch fits into the overall beauty.
In my life, God is the one with the pattern. He's the one who allows holes to be made by suffering, or joys to come two or three at a time. To me, it can seem really random at times.
However, if I try to take over, it doesn't work so well. I say, "No, God, there shouldn't be a hole here! It will mess up the fabric of my life!" or "Whoa, God, all this happiness at one time must mean something's wrong. I better not enjoy it!" But then, I end up with a tangled mess that has to be ripped back by God's loving hands, so He can reknit it the way He wants it to be.
When I let Him do what He wants to do, it still looks strange while it's going on. After a while, though, I can look back at the fabric and see the pattern emerge. The holes line up, the stitches are even, and beauty has been created.
Some knitting is plain, row on row of lined-up, normal stitches. Just like we want our lives to be. Often, though, plain knitting isn't nearly as beautiful as the intricate designs found in lace. The things we don't understand in life have the potential to make us more beautiful than ever before.
Sometimes I want to veg out and knit plain for a while, but God isn't like that. He's always attentive, always following the pattern He's created for us, one intricate stitch at a time. He doesn't ever desire to take the easy route; He always takes time to do what will make our lives the most beautiful.
When things seem strange, I have a choice. I can let God follow His perfect pattern, or I can try to knit my life according to my imperfect understanding. I can look back to the patterns He's made in the past and know that His way is best. If, however, I choose to take over for a while, His grace will gently unravel my mess and make me what He wants me to be.
Do you ever have a hard time letting God be the "knitter"?
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Comments (10)
What an awesome analogy!! I've heard the tapestry analogy, but the lace is so much better!
Awesome post and beautiful analogy!
I have tried to take over and follow my design and I ended back at the alter begging God to fix whatever mess I created for myself. It took me a long time to realize that it was easier to go through whatever God was taking me through than it was to try to take the short route. My interferring with God's design only meant that He had to untangle my mess before He could resume His perfect work in me. So that meant even more waiting for me.
of course...
Gorgeous!
x
This is a great analogy.
=) many times ....
nice analogy ...
what a good analogy!
hi miss poppy,
Ooo that is so good. that really makes sense, is easy to follow.
thank you for that analogy.
btw the picture is really pretty to. the color and the pattern.
kathy
Yes, I do, especially when going through a "Job-like" or "Habbakuk-like" thinking period. (When more and more of what's going on doesn't seem to make sense.)
How do you know when you're supposed to sit back and let god do everything? What if part of his plan for you is that you start taking responsibility for your own life?