Jigsaw Puzzles

If you are a fan of jigsaw puzzles, you know that they require patience and a lot of space, depending on the number of pieces and the size of the overall image.

Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

In today's reading, we get a glimpse of the bigger picture, God's larger puzzle, the one that incorporates all the pieces of his creation, not just the chosen, but everyone.

But Paul talks about the being baptized into the Holy Spirit, which means he is focusing on the followers of Christ, not the whole world. 

So what is the difference between the puzzle pieces that are baptized into the Spirit and those that are not?

The Spirit gives us guidance on the role we are to play in the bigger picture.  Through the gifts of the Spirit, we get our assignment, teacher, prophet, apostle, etc.  We know where we fit into the puzzle, so it saves us time in our lives.  We don't have to guess.  We know how we fit and what we can do to make the picture whole.

Those who are not guided by the Spirit may still find their place, but the effort may take longer, with much trial and error.  I thought I fit perfectly here, but something was wrong.  The edges were not tight and the picture was off.

We tend to think we should fit into the picture close to where we are.  After all, it is a big picture, and we wouldn't want to have to try to fit in just anywhere.  The puzzle would never be finished. 

So, we need a hint, an idea of what the whole picture looks like, and what our contribution to it might be, so we know where to start looking for a fit.

The Good News might be that the pattern repeats itself, that there are many places for us to fit in and be productive, to be a part of the bigger picture, and to shine as one image of God.

So, the way I look at it, the Holy Spirit gives us the tools and the awareness of how and where to use them.  It makes our effort in finding our place easier, if we choose to seek its help and guidance.

If we don't, we might still find our place, but we won't have as much time in the right fit. 

So, do you want to know where to find your perfect fit in God's Kingdom? 

Start with the Spirit. 

That will help you see the big picture a little clearer, and you will know where you fit in.

More to come...