Perhaps you’ve watched compilation virtual videos (I’m sure there’s a specific name for this, but that’s what I’m going with) during this time of social isolation, where people sing or play instruments at their homes. The video combines all the parts and pieces and shows everyone singing/playing together on the screen at one time. Pretty amazing.

Each separate part is essential to create a complete picture. By themselves, the voice or instrument is only a small piece of many which combines to create a whole.

As I considered this, I thought of all the tiny parts and pieces of our days, our lives, which look insignificant or minor in the grand scheme of things. However, when we allow some distance between those events and look over the past, we can see how God used those small parts and pieces to bring us to where we are today. In the process, creating a masterpiece which required every one of those parts.

Even the hard, wish it never happened thank you very much, parts.

At the end of the book of Genesis we read the story of Joseph. An excellent example of a life full of parts and pieces which looked anything but good. Yet, through God’s sovereignty and grace, turned out better than imagined. For what man planned for evil, God used for good.

Yeah. There are parts and pieces in my life I shook my head at, wondered about how any good could possibly come from then, and asked God what the deal was. If I really take the time and look back over these places, I see how each separate part was essential to create a complete picture. Much like a virtual choir. Or a teenager sold into slavery by his older brothers and later rose to second in command in Egypt.

How do you view all the varied parts and pieces of your life? As random events which mean little in the grand scheme of things or as part of a masterpiece being created by a sovereign God?

“God meant it unto good” — O blest assurance,
Falling like sunshine all across life’s way,
Touching with Heaven’s gold, earth’s darkest storm clouds,
Bringing fresh peace and comfort day by day.

‘Twas not by chance the hands of faithless brothers
Sold Joseph captive to a foreign land;
Nor was it chance that, after years of suffering,
Brought him before the Pharaoh’s throne to stand.

One Eye-all-seeing saw the need of thousands,
And planned to meet it through that one lone soul;
And through the weary days of prison bondage
Was working toward the great and glorious goal.

As yet the end was hidden from the captive,
The iron entered even to his soul;
His eye could scan the present path of sorrow,
Not yet his gaze might rest up in the whole.

Faith failed not through those long, dark days of waiting,
His trust in God was reimbursed at last,
The moments came when God led forth His servant,
To comfort many, all his sufferings past.

“It was not you but God, that led me to here,”
Witnessed triumphant faith in later days;
“God meant it unto good,” no other reason
Mingled their discord with his song of praise.

“God means it unto good” for you, beloved,
The God of Joseph is the same today;
His love permits afflictions, strange and bitter,
His hand is guiding through the unknown way.

Your Lord, who sees the end from the beginning,
Has purposes for you of love untold,
Then place your hand in His and follow fearless,
Till you the riches of His grace behold.

Then, when you stand firm in the Home of glory,
And all life’s paths lie open to your gaze,
Your eyes will SEE the hand that you’re now trusting,
And magnify His love through endless days.

Freda Hanbury Allen

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So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. Romans 8:28 (TPT)

You can find my August Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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