Your Daily Slice

 

CHESHVAN 25

Masterpiece

 

“For we are of God's making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do.”  (Eph 2:10 CJB)

 

One of my hobbies is quilting; I enjoy taking selections of beautiful fabric and creating quilts of different designs and colors.  I use a variety of blocks and patterns; many of these patterns are centuries old, and I mix and match them to come up with what I like.  There have been times, however, when I have come up against the proverbial ‘brick wall’:  colors won’t match, seams are crooked, blocks are not coming out to the specified size.  I have to ‘undo’ what has been done, and it seems like I will NEVER get through with a certain project.  In fact, I have a quilt that I have been working on for more than six years, and I still have not finished it.  Nothing seems to be right about it – nothing.

The same frustration can hit us in our spiritual growth.  “Father, am I ever going to learn, am I ever going to pass this particular test, am I ever going to quit going around this particular mountain?”  It is at these times that we must recognize that there are ‘seams’ that we cannot see; they are only visible to the eyes of Abba Father.  Perhaps these seams are not exactly straight, or perhaps not sewn in the correct stitch, and may just need to be re-aligned.  We must learn to rest, to trust, that the One who formed us, who created us, will not leave us ‘half-sewn’.

“And I am sure of this: that the One who began a good work among you WILL KEEP IT GROWING until it is completed on the Day of the Messiah Yeshua.”  (Phi 1:6 CJB, emphasis mine)

“… for it is Elohim who is working in you both to desire and to work for HIS good pleasure.”  (Phi 2:13, emphasis mine)

Elohim will never force anyone to do anything, for He has given us the choice of whom we will serve (Deu 30:19; Jos 24:15; 1Kin 18:21; Zec 1:3).  However, if we have chosen, of our own free will, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and seek to do His will with everything in us, then He will always help that one to do it even better …

“I will work, and who can hinder or reverse it?” (Isa 43:13 AMPC)

 

Alvinu Malkenu, our Father, our King, help me to trust You in this growth process, even when I do not understand what is going on.  Help me to rest in You, even when I feel like I am stagnant, not growing at all, not moving, going nowhere.  Help me to understand that there is even growth in inactivity, that all of my times are in Your very capable hands.  Let me be pliable clay in my Master Potter’s hands, knowing that He will form the very best vessel fit for His use. In the Name of Yeshua HaMashiach I pray…

 

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