One thing that I missed this Thanksgiving was a good jig saw puzzle. My daughters and I always have a puzzle to work on over the holidays.
We can sit for hours, hunting for the right pieces and visiting as we do. There have been evenings that we have been tired and needing to go to bed but only 50 or so pieces would remain so we would stay up “just a little bit longer” to finish our labor of love.
The frustration comes when we are down to just a few more pieces and realize there is one missing. The hunt is one. Did it fall on the floor, is it on a chair, did the dog eat it? Where did it go? One missing piece will ruin the whole work.
Life is like that.
We have all the pieces and begin putting them in place. The right spouse, the career, the home, or perfect 2.3 children. The car, the clothing, the financial plan, the prestige. All the pieces are coming together.
Yet something is missing. What?
“The angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. 11 Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.’” Luke 2:10-11 ERV
The missing piece of a fulfilling life is wrapped in pieces of cloth.
As we look forward to Christmas there will be many distractions and even some frustrations. These can leave us searching for the missing piece, the peace that only comes through relationship with Christ.
“ Be sure you are not led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and only plan to deceive you. That teaching is not from Christ. It is only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world. 9 I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:8-10 ERV
The world tries to imitate and counterfeit what can only be found in Christ. In Christ we are complete having everything that we need. He is the missing piece.
“God put everything under Christ’s power and made him head over everything for the church. 23 The church is Christ’s body. It is filled with him. He makes everything complete in every way.” Ephesians 1:22-23 ERV
In Christ our joy is complete, our peace is certain, love is unconditional, and forgiveness is everlasting. In Christ, we have all we need for a full and abundant life.
He completes the puzzle and there is nothing missing!