Connect The Dots

“Thus says the Lord, ‘If you will walk in my ways and if you will keep my charge, 

then you will rule my house, have charge of my courts, 

and I will give you places to walk in my presence.’”

Zechariah 3:7

The children’s placemats at area restaurants, like my favorite National Coney Island, are a pretty good attempt to keep the little ones busy and occupied until the food arrives. Four crayons and the kids are off, doing the word search, coloring in the picture, unscrambling the words, and, the subject of this devotion, connecting the dots. Starting at the number one and going number by number, drawing a line between the dots until the picture becomes clear. And, in an ideal world, as the last line is drawn, the large barbecue Hani, fries with cheese on the side, and no pickle is just arriving along with the kids’ hot dogs, fries and chocolate milk.

As Rachel shared in service Sunday, she mentioned connecting the dots between the faith and courage displayed by some of the great men and women in the Bible and the very difficult trials of faith that had occurred earlier in their lives to strengthen their faith and prepare them for what was ahead. And her encouragement was for each of us to realize that, in the same way, we go through trials, storms and difficulties in our lives that are going to be crucial in preparing us for what God has ahead. Paul’s exhortation that “all things work together for good” no doubt had this same thought in mind. Even the enemy’s worst attacks, as Joseph experienced, become a tool for God to use to accomplish good in the lives of those He is at work in.

But as she spoke, my mind wandered to this thought of our connecting the dots. Are we connecting the dots to something God is trying to accomplish in our lives? Are we connecting the dots between our present and our future? Are we connecting the dots between present preparations (prayer and Bible study) and future preparedness? Is something not working out in our lives and we refuse to connect the dots because we know it will lead to a lack of obedience in our lives and will point the finger right back at us? Are we connecting the dots to how God works and to where He is leading, so that we connect the dots to our future, and can then clearly see the picture ahead of us and receive direction and encouragement from it?

Connecting the dots in our lives can be a win-win situation. By that I mean that as each line is drawn, and as the picture becomes clearer and clearer, you have the opportunity to win. For one person, winning might be realizing an area of disobedience and getting back on track so the dots connect to a right picture. For another, winning might mean finding strength as you realize that God is in control and that, in His wisdom, He is preparing you for great things ahead!

God Bless

Pastor Joe

Gateway Church