Words to Grow On

Archive Devotions 2005

June 20, 2005

"God's Pattern for my Life"

by

Darlene Russell

I admire people who can make their own clothing. They buy a pattern and follow the directions and are able to make very nice clothes. They might sew them, knit them or crochet them. They tell me that the secret is to follow the pattern that has been carefully put together to create the beautiful finished product.

I am not very good at following these patterns. The extent of my sewing is limited to hemming things, although I have crocheted a blanket, but not from reading a pattern. Someone needed to sit beside me and show me how to do it.

When I was stationed at the Salvation Army's Training School several years ago, I decided to take a sewing class at the nearby college. I was quite excited about it. I bought all the materials I would need, but the most important thing for me to buy was the pattern for what I would be making. When I realized that I had to learn to read and follow a pattern, I knew I was in trouble. The bathrobe I made really wasn't too bad, but I made it two sizes too big for me. I must have really messed up on the pattern because I bought the pattern for my size.

Several years later I took up cross-stitching. I learned then, as before, that it was imperative that I follow the instructions on the pattern. If I didn't follow the color chart or the number of stitches, I would come up with a distorted and unattractive cross-stitch. If I followed the pattern, it would turn out beautiful. I must say I did much better following the cross-stitch patterns than I did clothing patterns.

After becoming a Christian many years ago, I learned that God had a wonderful pattern (plan) for my life. As I daily read my Bible and prayed, it became evident to me that He wanted me to follow His pattern very carefully. Realizing this, I read and prayed more earnestly and soon found that His instructions were very clear for my life. I read specifically in Romans 12:2, " Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world (distorted), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will (pattern)."

As I reflect on the past I find that when I have not followed this pattern (plan), my life has been incomplete, distorted and unfulfilled. However, when I have followed His pattern (plan), my life has been meaningful and pleasing to Him.

The most important lesson I have learned is that I must continue to follow the pattern. Each new day, week, and month brings new challenges and opportunities. I constantly go back to the pattern (His word) for direction.

The goal now is to complete the pattern so that when I meet Him face to face, I will hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." At that point the pattern will be finished and completely beautiful.