My Life as a Puzzle: Reflections on Exodus 2

I gotta comment again on how cool this journal is- as I am writing about how God miraculously brings about the salvation of Moses as a baby- I read at the bottom of my journal page- The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers" 1Pet. 3.12 and of course I read it knowing that the characters of Exodus 2 were fervently praying to God to save the baby.

I love reading the stories that fill the pages of Scripture.  Stories that make things sound like things are working out coincidently.  It uses phrases like, "Now it came about..."  it leaves out the phrase "by God."  And that is what we see in Exodus 2.  It is an incredible story about how God saves a baby named Moses.  There is no mention of how God is the one that brought about the extraordinary circumstances, we do know that He is the author of all things.  

I think about my story as I read the story in Exodus.  (And being very familiar with the story, rereading stirs memories of what I haven't even read yet)  I think about the times in my life that God worked together the many details of my life. 

And guess what scripture is on the bottom of the page as I write about Exodus 2:  Romans 8.28- and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.  

 If I let myself think outside of what Scripture says right here in Ex 2 and taking into consideration the whole story, I can see all of my life and experiences...

God has a plan for my life.  Every event has its place and purpose.  Maybe all events aren't what God would've wanted for my life, but none of them surprised Him or caused Him to altar His plan for me.  

And just as I may never be able to answer all the questions that I have about Exodus 2, I also  may not be able to answer all the quesstions of why did this happen this way or that way in my own life, but that is because the reason doesn't change the reality.  Why God did it or allowed it isn't half as important as the end result.  The process makes an impact that's for sure, but not every piece individually completes the picture enough to change the look- the end result.  

Why did Moses kill the Egyptian?  Was that God's will?  Did that act come from God- was it God that ordained it or did God use the experience to mold Moses?  

That can be paralleled in my life with, "Why did I get involved with that guy in college?"  Was our relationship ordained by God?  Willed of God?  Or, did God just use the situation, the experience to His good to shape and form me?  

Did I take one beautiful piece that God had intended and break it down into several pieces.  Did it mar the beauty of the final result?  Did it complicate and prolong the process?  

We know that God works all things for good- but is that the good or the best?  

Imagine a puzzle.  64 pieces.  Beautiful when it is finished.  Perfect.  But when putting together the puzzle I take 1 piece and I break it down into 10 smaller pieces.  They will still fit together in the end but I complicated the process.  Will it still look the same at the end when the pieces are all put together?  Well yes and no.The final image will still be the same image- a picture of a dog will still be a picture of a dog but it will look different then originally intended.  Slightly marred perhaps, or maybe a little more choppy, but ultimately, coming together still to complete the puzzle.