The Pieces Are All There

“I can’t do it,” Tobias grunted in frustration. “I know it’s supposed to be a sunrise but come on, there is no way that all the pieces are here.”

I could see what he meant. Taking a quick look at the scene, I could tell that some of the puzzle pieces were in the lid of the box, most were scattered on the floor, and some could even be found—by the keen observer at least—to be hiding under the couch.

“Perhaps,” I tried using my least commanding voice, “you should start by getting these pieces organized.”

The look I received in return pretty much said it all.

“No, thanks. I have my own way of doing it.”

When it comes to our own lives, our experience can often feel very much the same. We know that there is an image, an idea, a goal that we should be striving for; yet, we convince ourselves that something is missing.

If only I had more money.

If only I didn’t have to deal with this problem.

If only I wasn’t burdened with this responsibility.

Then I could put it all together.

But the truth is that you have all of the pieces that you need; God has made sure of that.

So what’s the problem then?

Few of us actually take the time and make the effort to organize our pieces; to organize our spiritual lives.

When do you pray?

How do you pray?

Who are you praying for?

When do you find silence in your day?

When do you make time for God to speak to you?

When do you read the Holy Bible?

How do you learn about the God who loves you?

How do you grow in virtue and conquer your vices?

Answering these questions and others like them with concrete and repetitive actions will not only bring order to your life, but it will bring the picture into greater focus.

And if an important piece truly has fallen away somewhere, then this process will help you to identify what it is exactly that has gone missing.

Order, not chaotic meanderings of the spiritual sort, will get you where you want to go and will help you to become the kind of person that you want to be.

I know this is difficult advice to take, even if put in the most gentle way possible. But please, for the sake of the bigger picture, of your spiritual health, and all who need to see the sunrise, look under the couch.

in Christ,

patrick