Life Tapestry

Photo by Andrew Ridley

Photo by Andrew Ridley

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, because the work of the Son brings glory to the Father. Yes, ask anything in my name, and I will do it!
— John 14:13-14

In my reading this morning my devotional book says that as God’s anointed we have the power to move the mountain that stands in someone’s way. That through prayer His power is released into the lives that we pray for and that He listens and hears our prayers. The God of all, the King and Creator of the entire universe promises to intervene on our behalf. He knows us well and our tendency to try to control, get in there and fix people and problems. He reminds us that He is the only one who can make a way where there is no way. We can’t always see what’s happening but we can rest assured that God is working things out for good.

I’m again reminded of a tapestry. On this side of eternity we see the back side all knotted up and tangled into an ugly mess. But on the other side God has taken the knots and tangled up mess and turned them into a beautiful work of art. Although we may not see the entire finished piece this side of heaven, we will most definitely see glimpses.

Free will is a gift for sure, but it plays a large part in why our lives can become such a mess. We choose independence apart from our Creator and He in his grace allows it, patiently waiting for us to realize our need for Him. Once he is invited into our lives, he rushes in and begins the work of weaving the mess together into something beautiful. There is cause and effect, and reaping what we sow, and we will no doubt experience these rhythms, however there is also a good, good Father who loves us more than we can comprehend. Out of this love and his merciful, gracious nature, he comes in upon that invitation and moves mountains in our way, releases strength into our lives, and makes a way where there is no way.

I have a lifetime of testimony to this truth and I believe we all do. Along with that history of God’s faithfulness, I have current opportunities to practice my faith in his promise. Some of it can seem overwhelming and impossible, like cancer that has metastasized in my friends body, or a relationship with a difficult family member, pending bankruptcy, divorce, fill in the blank. BUT remember that He is the one who can make a way where there is no way. The answers don’t always come the way I envision or want them to. Sometimes they are much better than I ever imagined and sometimes they are the opposite of what I hoped for. Regardless of how He answers I know he is trustworthy and faithful, and I know that because I have experienced this faithfulness all throughout my life. He does what he says he will do, and he is who he says he is.

When I get discouraged I remember Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thought than your thoughts.” I then remember the tapestry and that the side I see is not the end result and even in my grief and fear, I pray and I choose to believe the promise from His lips, “You (insert your name) can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it...”