Things don’t always turn out the way you expect.
The book of Ruth is a treasure for anyone who has experienced disappointment and the death of dreams.
It teaches us that there is an invisible hand at work, weaving together even the most disappointing circumstances into a grand story of redemption and hope.
That the seemingly random circumstances of our lives are wrapped up in a vast collection of strands – woven together into a cosmic tapestry of faithful, redeeming, covenant love.
That the ultimate end of every thread is the revelation of Jesus the great redeemer of all humanity who is able and willing to buy back and restore life at great cost to himself.
Our lives appear to us like the underside of a tapestry – seemingly random and discordant appearances of colors and threads. In time we will see the unveiling of the upper side and marvel at the wise and good Providence of God.
LIFE IS BUT A WEAVING
Grant Colfax Tullar
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ‘til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for 18 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown