The Beauty of the Messiness of Life

Life is undeniably messy and often extremely difficult. Yet, within this messiness, there is beauty and purpose.

I am reminded of a poignant moment with my wife and a group of friends. We had done life together for over 25 years, despite being separated by vast distances, living in different countries and continents, and facing various situations all over the world.

After the funeral of our dear friend's parent, we gathered together for a meal. Over a curry and a glass of wine, we reflected on the past 25 years of friendship and the challenges we had all faced. It became clear that God had allowed these difficult events in our lives for a purpose. With the gift of hindsight, we could see how these experiences had shaped us into the people we are today.

This reminds me of a scene from the animated movie The Prince of Egypt. In the movie, Moses is betrothed to his future wife, Zipporah. They sit around a campfire with Jethro, the elderly Bedouin priest and Zipporah’s father. Jethro shares a powerful metaphor: when we look at the backside of a tapestry, we see a mess of knots and threads. It appears chaotic and disordered. However, from God's perspective, He sees the beautiful, completed work of art on the other side. He sees the entire picture and understands how each knot and thread contributes to the masterpiece.

You must look at your life through heaven's eyes!

Jethro's wisdom is echoed in the Bible. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." This verse reassures us that God orchestrates every event in our lives for our ultimate good. Similarly, Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God's intentionality: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

This metaphor beautifully illustrates our individual roles in God's grand plan. Despite the hardships, tests, and trials we endure, God is in control. We can find peace and rest in Him, knowing that His promises are true and faithful. He uses our struggles to shape us and fulfill His purpose in our lives, creating something beautiful from the messiness.

The idea of life as a tapestry has been explored by many scholars and theologians. Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II, often spoke of life as a tapestry. She would show the messy underside of a piece of embroidery to illustrate how, from our perspective, life can seem chaotic and meaningless. But from God's perspective, He sees the beautiful design He is weaving.

Reflecting on this brings a sense of peace and hope. We may not understand why certain things happen, but we can trust that God has a plan and is working everything for our good. Our lives, with all their complexities and difficulties, are part of a larger tapestry that God is weaving.

Embrace the messiness, knowing that every knot and thread has a purpose. Trust in God's plan and find comfort in His promises. He sees the complete tapestry of our lives, and it is beautiful.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to this in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, where he writes, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Paul's words remind us that our current struggles are temporary and serve a greater purpose in God's eternal plan.

As we navigate the messiness of life, let us hold onto the assurance that God is at work, weaving a masterpiece that we may not fully understand from our limited perspective. Trust in His divine craftsmanship, and find peace in knowing that He is creating something beautiful through the complexities of our lives.

The Beauty of the Messiness of Life

Songwriters: Stephen Lawrence Schwartz - Through Heaven’s Eyes lyrics © Dwa Songs

A single thread in a tapestry

Though its color brightly shines

Can never see its purpose

In the pattern of the grand design

And the stone that sits on the very top

Of the mountains mighty face

Does it think it's more important

Than the stones that form the base?

So how can you see what your life is worth

Or where your value lies?

You can never see through the eyes of man

You must look at your life

Look at your life through heaven's eyes

Lai-le-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

La-lai-lai-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

Lai-le-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

La-lai-lai-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

Lai-le-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

La-lai-lai-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

A lake of gold in the desert sand

Is less than a cool fresh spring

And to one lost sheep, a shepherd boy

Is greater than the richest king

If a man loses everything he owns

Has he truly lost his worth?

Or is it the beginning

Of a new and brighter birth?

So how do you measure the worth of a man

In wealth or strength or size?

In how much he gained or how much he gave?

The answer will come

The answer will come to him who tries

To look at his life through heaven's eyes

And that's why we share all we have with you

Though there's little to be found

When all you've got is nothing

There's a lot to go around

No life can escape being blown about

By the winds of change and chance

And though you never know all the steps

You must learn to join the dance

You must learn to join the dance

Lai-le-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

La-lai-lai-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

Lai-le-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

La-lai-lai-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

Lai-le-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

La-lai-lai-lai-lai-lee-lai-lai

Lai-lai-lai-lai-lai-lai

So how do you judge what a man is worth

By what he builds or buys?

You can never see with your eyes on earth

Look through heaven's eyes

Look at your life

Look at your life

Look at your life through heaven's eyes