Putting together a jigsaw puzzle can be a relaxing and entertaining way to spend a cold winter evening, even better when there is a roaring fire to warm you. There is a great sense of satisfaction created when, after much concentrated study of the many pieces laid out in front of you, you finally find THE ONE that fits, and snap it into place. There’s a brief moment of triumph, and then it’s on to find the next one.
Some pieces are harder to find than others—sometimes you become convinced a piece is lost—it’s just not there. In frustration you move on to another area, and then usually find the difficult piece when you’re not even looking.
Some aspects of the Kingdom of God are like a jigsaw puzzle, and oh what a joy as those pieces begin to come together, to form something real and recognizable, as we begin our journey and lifelong devotion to understanding the mysteries of God and truth. But be forewarned, God will not be reduced to a jigsaw puzzle, and there are many pieces, many aspects that will not snap neatly together.
Systematic theology. It sounds so appealing. To have a religion, a belief system that can be dissected, diagrammed, and memorized, a puzzle that can be solved, pieces that snap smartly into place. But the Lord of all the earth will not be reduced to anyone’s system. Just when we think we have Him all figured out, He shows us we don’t! He is a person, and it’s a RELATIONSHIP, not a system—a mystery, not a jigsaw puzzle. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33) Paul, the greatest theologian who ever lived, never figured out systematic theology!
I’m beginning to understand that it’s more important to have all the pieces than to know how they all fit together….