Piecing Together Your Faith Puzzle
God’s Clues with Mac Powell
In a recent interview on Family Life Radio, Mac Powell, a musician acclaimed for his soul-stirring lyrics, opened up about his songwriting process. “A song always kind of starts off as an idea in my head, whether it’s something I read in Scripture or in a book, or something that I heard in a sermon or maybe even something that I heard someone say,” he said.
Have you ever considered how your faith journey might be a lot like composing a song? God places melodies, words, and rhythms in our hearts, and it’s our lifelong task to piece them together into a symphony that glorifies Him.
Inspiration Comes in Many Forms
The Bible itself tells us that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV). But God’s communication doesn’t stop at the written word. He speaks through sermons, people and even the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit. In a loud world clamoring for our attention, it’s vital to keep our ears open to recognize these divine notes.
Your Core Belief is Your Melody
“A song starts with me, even before [the words], as a musical idea that just pops in my head. I’ve got a melody,” Mac mentioned.
In the life of a Christ follower, the core melody is our relationship with Jesus. As the Apostle Paul stated, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NIV).
Your melody, your foundational belief, will guide you in every word you write in your life, every decision you make and every relationship you form. Hold on to that melody.
The Crossword Puzzle of Life
Mac uses a fascinating analogy to describe how he arranges his songs: “I describe songwriting a lot like doing a crossword puzzle. Because when you have your four [letters] across and you know what that word is … you take what you have and then you fill in the blanks.”
The same is true in our relationships with God. He gives us “clues” – gifts, talents, opportunities, relationships – and it’s up to us to fill in the blanks in a way that honors Him.
The Bible offers guidance on this, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). Just like a crossword puzzle, these good works are specific to each of us and fit perfectly with the clues God has laid out in our lives. We may not always see how all the pieces fit together, but we can trust that they do.
Just as a beautiful song can move a soul, a well-lived life can testify to God’s grace and glory.
Piecing It Together Takes Time
“Once I have a melody that I feel like is a good melody, [I ask] what can I put with that?” Mac said, explaining that he then starts to add words to his melody.
This is a slow, deliberate process, much like our spiritual growth. God is not in a hurry to complete His work in us; He values our progress, not our speed. Philippians 1:6 assures us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (NIV).
Don’t worry if your still working on your song; it isn’t complete yet. We are all in a constant state of composition. God is the ultimate composer, and He knows how to make all things work together for your good.
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