We look at life from the back side of the tapestry. And most of the time, what we see is loose threads, tangled knots and the like. But occasionally, God’s light shines through the tapestry, and we get a glimpse of the larger design with God weaving together the darks and lights of existence. John Piper
The whole life-is-a-tapestry analogy may not be new to you, but what a beautiful thought it is!The various hues, textures, and designs that represent the many intricacies of our life are woven together into a stunning, picturesque display called life.
An up close perspective may not seem quite as impressive, especially while the tapestry is still in the process of development. One can hardly fathom the purpose of each seemingly out of place thread when seen out of context from the entire work of art. Rest assured, however, if you step back and behold the finished piece, you will see the threads of God’s love and grace intertwined through each and every life event represented. That is what holds the tapestry together and gives it its unique beauty.
What is most disheartening, however, is to snag the tapestry on a jagged edge and watch in horror as it unravels, seemingly out of control. All of the toil and pain involved in its creation is of no consequence as you watch the masterpiece shred into nothing more than a heap of tattered pieces.
Have you ever felt like that torn and tattered tapestry? You have invested a lifetime weaving together each precious fragment of your life into a marvelous work of art only to have it pulled out right from under you. The more you try to salvage any kind of remnant, the more the fragments unravel from your grip.
This analogy absolutely makes sense if you have experienced any kind of loss in your life. Perhaps you built the perfect life with your spouse only to have him walk out the door one day, grabbing on to one of the threads and unraveling it on his way out the door. Maybe you had invested years of your life establishing the career of your dreams only to have the economy rip your dreams out from under you like a wilted bath mat. Your sense of self-worth disintegrates along with the frayed fabric falling apart in your hands. These are only two examples, but insert your own personal scenario.
What kind of loss has marred the masterpiece of your life? The death of a loved one? Financial devastation? An accident or injury? A natural disaster? The betrayal of a friend? A humiliating event? Perhaps your loss was your own doing, a string of foolish mistakes or even blatant sin. Regardless, the intensity of your loss is not diminished when it is self-perpetuated. God’s heart is touched by your grief nevertheless. If your life has unraveled by any cause or to any degree, you do not need to give up hope.
The good news is that the Master Tapestry Artist is not finished with you yet! When all you have to offer Him is a tattered mess to work with, you need not fret. That is His specialty! He will take the frazzled remnant of your unraveled life, all the shreds of pain, loneliness, failure, disappointment, and heartache, and He will create an even more spectacular masterpiece than before. He will intertwine threads of His healing, grace, and restoration, while incorporating His shimmering strands of love throughout.
Go ahead. Give your disastrous fragments to God. See what He will do with your life. In time the dark threads of despair will be transformed into a magnificent tapestry revealing the goodness of God in even the darkest moments of your life.
Jesus came:
…to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3
He will wipe every tear from their eyes.There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:4-5a
