Volume 28, No. 16
April 27, 2003

Life Is Puzzling

   If you’re having trouble putting your life together, take encouragement from the story of the jigsaw puzzle.

   In 1762, London mapmaker John Spilsbury glued a few of his maps on thin pieces of wood then used a simple hand saw to cut out the various countries along their borders.  He sold his “dissected maps” to wealthy parents.

   Anxious to cut into that new market, 20 other companies started cranking out puzzles featuring historical figures and Bible stories.  Religious versions were especially popular because they could be used on Sunday when other “secular” diversions were frowned upon.

   In those days, most puzzles had less than 50 pieces because the cutting was a long, hard process.  But things really came together for the puzzle makers in 1876 with the invention of the power scroll saw, or “jigsaw”.  That cutting-edge technology meant puzzles could be made quickly and easily, with far more pieces, including smaller, more complicated ones.  By 1908, North America was caught up in a puzzle craze. Once cardboard and die-cutting machines were introduced, puzzles became affordable for everyone, to the point that — during the Depression, when most other forms of entertainment were impossible — Americans were buying six million puzzles a week!

   Though that intense interest eventually flattened, sales remained stable until 1989 when Canadian Paul Gallant revolutionized things by making a 3D puzzle of polyethylene foam.  He sold his invention to a Manhattan store executive by throwing his model of a Victorian mansion into the air. “”It didn’t break,” says Gallant.  “”No glue, no pins, no nothing.”   Today, 3D versions of everything from the Eiffel Tower to the Titanic are worth $100 million in sales every year.

   For diehard fans, there are also single-colour creations with no pictures or clues included;  multiple-border versions with straight-edged pieces that actually belong in the middle, not on the outside;  and the “Impossibles”:  750-piece, borderless puzzles with edge pieces disguised to look like inner ones, plus extra pieces that don’t belong.      

   Okay, now think of your life as a jigsaw puzzle.  For starters, there’s a grand design whether you can see it or not.  What may look like a jumble of pieces will eventually come together in a beautiful picture, if you’re willing to do the work.  But don’t just expect all the pieces to fall in place.  It takes time, patience and trust.  Aware God is right beside you, you’ve got to pick up one small piece at a time and work with it.  The good news is, He’s given you a pattern to follow:  the character and example of his Son.

   Like the early puzzles, your life is a map, a spiritual one leading to heaven.  But it’s also meant to be a picture of Jesus.  The Spirit of the Lord will help you fit together certain areas of your life in a way that clearly demonstrates his work and influence.  But there will be other times of searching,trying and waiting;  times when you try to put pieces where they don’t belong;  times when nothing seems to fit.

   It doesn’t help when people try to make your life mirror theirs, which means you may have to remind them we’re not all the same, single-colour creation.  It’s also hard to get your life together when the edges of morality are constantly changing.  The faith-centred precepts and ethical boundaries that once framed our lives are constantly rearranged, now that society rejects any notion that some truths apply to everyone. And the reality is that some of the pieces we’re told we should have in our lives simply don’t belong there.    

   So it’s time to go back to the Pattern, but make sure you’re following the right one.  “Don’t conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2)  How you think will determine how you live.  So remember, your life can become a beautiful, multidimensional picture of faith and courage that won’t come apart, no matter what.  Just rely on the Lord and his people.  They can love you to pieces and still help you get your life together.

By Rick Gamble, published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the Followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To subscribe, contact sgamble@bfree.on.ca

NEWS AND NOTES

A Weighty Subject!
The theme of our Spring Retreat at Apps Mill on the  Victoria Day  weekend will be Body Building!  We’ll focus on how Jesus  gives gifts to his followers “to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12)  From Friday May 16th to Monday May 19th, we’ll focus on our Personal Trainer’s proven program for getting into spiritual shape and strengthening the church to do some heavy lifting!  You can expect an intensive but thoroughly enjoyable time of prayer, Bible study, sharing, food and fun in the beautiful surroundings of heavily-wooded Kiwanis Park.   Like last year, we want you to arrive with a song, prayer or scripture that’s meaningful to you so we can incorporate these elements into our worship times.   Please also consider staying over each night, which is the only way to get maximum benefit from this weekend.   Again, we’re asking that  anyone who can afford it pay $50 of the $80 cost.  If that’s not possible, please tell Registration Coordinators Rose Gale or Clive Whiddett what you can contribute (that amount will be confidential), and the church will gladly subsidize the rest.  We believe God wants you at this weekend!  Do your best not to disappoint him, or us!