Mary Jo Adams

Completing My Puzzle

One of my favorite hobbies is putting together jigsaw puzzles. Taking time separating the pieces by shape and color, and watching the great masterpiece come together is exciting. My life is like that puzzle. The outside border is made up of family and friends. Variegated pieces are life's valleys and mountains. All of these made me the person I had become. Pieces were fitting into place throughout my life, but the center, the core of my existence, was missing. No matter what I did, I wasn't complete. Little did I know that I was about to set on a journey that would change my life forever.

Several years ago I received a study Bible from my sister. As I flipped through the pages, I came upon a statement, "Why do we need Him?" Curious, I began to read on. "When you believe in Jesus, you receive His life and forgiveness of your sin debt."

I wasn't a sinner. Or was I? Whether I felt guilty or not, I was guilty in the Lord's eyes. Selfish thoughts, outspoken words, and 'untruths' were breaking God's laws. "The wages of sin is death." Spiritual death ... cut off from God forever. I was a slave to sin and I didn't even know it. Sin is sin, no matter what the form.

I needed to ask God's forgiveness for everything I had done, said, or lied about because I was created to live in a relationship with Him. Until I found that relationship, forgiveness, and His love, my life's puzzle would never be complete. He was the only one who could fill in the pieces I longed to find. He was the answer to my deepest need, and He still is. No Christian has ever been called to go it alone in his or her walk of faith. I know now that no matter what I face here on this earth, whether in trials or celebrations, that the Lord never leaves my side. The earthly things fade away. God's love is eternal and I walk in faith, not by sight.

I am not finished on my journey, but my puzzle is complete. I found the missing "Peace".