"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" - Ephesians 2:10 (NIV).
There is a tradition which is fast disappearing in Uganda, involving the weaving of a mat. In the olden days one of the past time activities for women was using dried reeds to weave together a colourful tapestry of a mat then used for seating. Seeing an experienced mat weaver use her hands to delicately put one together was quite moving, especially as it all unfolded from one single reed into one huge mat.
No mat weaves itself and there must be a weaver who puts it together. The Apostle Paul has also compared our lives to a mat- with God weaving pieces of each of our fragments into a beautiful creation. Now some of the fact about mat weaving is that it takes time, which the most experienced know well. For any of us to grow into the person God desires of us is a process, where God is patient with us as He puts us together.
A difference through here is that for any mat those reeds do not have a choice or a will of their own to excuse themselves. In our case we do have the wherewithal to agree to be part of God's handiwork or not. God never forces anyone into salvation. It is always a personal choice!
Christians are privileged that not only do they have the best creator, one who put together the planets in their order, but can gladly rest assured that even for those things not clear or uncertain in their lives, He has them at heart and in the end a tapestry will emerge. So, today, all should rest that whatever challenges one may be encountering, it is God at work, and just wait for His finished product.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy to know I am your handiwork and everyday you are perfecting me into a beautiful creation, to ever worship you, and for this I thank you, this I pray in Jesus's name!
Related upcoming events
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
