The Weaver

My Life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.

This was one of Corrie ten Boom's favorite poems written by Grant Colfax Tuller. She often shared it and used an illustration about a tapestry weaving as she traveled, sharing her love of Christ. However, she always showed the tapestry from underneath. As you know, on the back of any tapestry is a mass of threads that make no pattern and certainly do not form a picture that looks beautiful or even makes sense. Then, she would turn it over and show the other side--a different perspective. A perspective that had a specific pattern, formed a beautiful picture, and made perfect sense.

Life, especially ministry, can be weary. We sometimes lose focus on our lives and what is true. We even sometimes believe the lies that the enemy and others speak to us. We easily find fault in ourselves, lose confidence, and want to give up. Yet, God doesn't have the same problem and He certainly doesn't look at us with the eyes of others- or even ourselves. (Thank You, God!) He is never weary, never loses heart, and always near. He sees us, even in the mess of threads, as the finished product. All we can view is what's underneath. The next time you take a look at a tapestry, remember this example as you think about your own life and calling. God is weaving a "tapestry" of your life and mine. We will not know what it looks like on the other side until God is finished. As we, the thread, are woven, pulled, and stretched, let's remember to rest and trust in the Weaver's hand of unconditional love and Divine purpose.