The Weaver

In 3:16, Max Lucado tells of watching a weaver set up her loom and begin to work. Then he makes this comparison:
"...Christ in like manner, weaves his story. Every person is a thread, every moment a color, every era a pass of the shuttle. Jesus steadily interweaves the embroidery of humankind.
 'My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,' says the Lord, 'And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.' (Isaiah 55:8 NLT)
 A root menaing of the word translated thoughts is 'artistic craftsmanship'. As if God says 'My artistry is far beyond anything you could imagine'."

This reminded me of a story Corrie Ten Boom used to tell. As she talked, she held a small tapestry, but all the audience could see was the tangled mess on the back. All we can see of our lives are the threads of our own experience. Often these don't make sense and we feel like those tangled threads. What we can't see is God's plan in all of those things. As Corrie finishes speaking she turns over the tapestry to reveal the beautiful picture on the other side. Each of us is a masterpiece. Unlike anyone else. There is a purpose and a plan for all of those messy, tangled things we go through (Jeremiah 29:11).

Life is But a Weaving (The Tapestry Poem)

Image courtesy of Piyachok Thawornmat at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Corrie Ten Boom

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft' times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.