The Jigsaw Puzzle

Growing up spiritually is the process of learning the word of God, believing the word, and applying the word. I like to compare it to a jigsaw puzzle.

The first piece of the puzzle is the gospel message which we hear perhaps many times before we understand it, believe it and express that belief to God in simple faith alone in Christ alone. This is entrance into the spiritual life. Now we must grow by learning more doctrine.


We avail ourselves of someone with the gift of Pastor-Teacher and start learning more. Each doctrine we learn is another piece of the puzzle. Sometimes we see how two pieces of the puzzle relate to each other and we have an “ah ha!” moment, we are starting to see a little of the overall picture. Sometimes we learn a doctrine and don’t see how it fits with the rest and set it aside for later. But eventually we have learned enough doctrine to see a larger part of the puzzle and we feel like we are really getting it. We’re making progress and are encouraged to keep going. Each step forward increases our understanding, faith, confidence, gratitude and love for God. So keep growing believers! And if you don’t get it at first, cut yourself some slack and realize there are a lot of pieces to this puzzle. The key is to decide to make the word of God the priority of your life. It has occurred to me that the puzzle has no edges, no boundaries, and in Heaven we keep seeing more and more of the big picture forever.

Gee, I was going to put edges on this puzzle saying that a jigsaw puzzle comes together easier when you set up the corners and edges first.
I find that the edges are the redemptive work of Christ, when you have those in place all else is much easier to put together.

When I work a puzzle, I usually put all the colors together first. So let's say all the red is about our atonement through Christ's blood (all of its benefits to us) and I need to see each piece. Then I might go from there into the blue - studying about the Holy Spirit and all the different pieces are all of His manifestations and gifts. Then I will find all the greens - understanding and living out the fruits of the Spirit. And so on.

But when I have all the colors sorted out and understood, the whole puzzle makes sense more easily and is put together quickly.

Not that we will ever finish it on earth. There will always be pieces to find. Makes a Christian life interesting!

Especially when the cat has tromped over it...

Wait a minute Crossnote - weren't you the one who bought tons of dog food? So now you have cats too.

Actually, there is a sermon here in your picture. But I'm too tired tonight to figure it out. That's for you to do.

It's quite easy to figure out if you use this simple formula...
CATS=demonic activity. LOL

I now know that you prefer dogs!

I'm neutral on that topic, I just threw that in for humorous purposes only. I grew up with cats and have had dogs ever since.
Actually a cat can walk thru a half completed puzzle and not disturb one piece whereas a dog will make you start over.

One must not puzzle too long over matters such as this. Demon cat or demon dog - what is important is that there is always something or someone who will try to mess up your pieces (doctrine). So the answer is that it must be glued together with strong faith and framed with the Word of God.

P.S. My pieces somehow get lost in the couch or cling to pieces of clothing and get carried away before they are even put together. I feel another "sermon" coming on.....