Quite unexpectedly and unplanned, Patti and I recently enjoyed an intimate lesson on basket weaving with a local friend of ours. Needing some baskets for an event we were planning, the master basket weaver invited us along to help her make them. I don't think either of us will ever look at a basket the same again. The intricate designs and amounts of time invested in a single basket is truly a gift of art. While weaving I began to see a parallel with my walk with Christ. He was whispering. I was listening.
Much like the walls of reeds in our friend's shop, we as people are created in different sizes and shapes, intended for different uses. Though perfectly placed and secured, the reeds are a mess when left to themselves. Unraveling, fallen, entangled. Completely oblivious to the plan they were made for. Taking the specific reeds off the pegs, each reed is stretched and trimmed into the appropriate size for the design and purpose. As was our experience in preparing the reeds, some of us are more stubborn than others, but with God's patience and grace we are bent toward Him.
After all the reeds are prepared, they are placed in a bowl to saturate them and make them pliable. Without the saturation, the thirsting reeds would snap and resist and remain broken, unusable. So are we when we do not saturate ourselves in the presence of our God. Resting in Him, drinking of His Living Water quenches the deepest thirst in our souls and enables us to lay aside our wills and become pliable to His.
Without a solid base, a basket loses shape. As we choose to bypass our time in the Word or quickly skip over pausing to listen in His presence, we lose shape as well. All the time and energy we invest throughout our days, in things He does not ask of us, causes us to loose our soul-shape. We become undone. We become dry and weak and unusable for His purposes. On the other hand, when we are careful to push and pull, nudge and slide our moments in the direction of Him, He fits us together in strength and our joy is complete because we are just where He wants us to be.
In and out, over and under. Snugging up here, adjusting over there. As pliable reeds in His capable hands, our heart begins to take shape revealing more of His beautiful plan and design.
When the baskets were completed and the gifts placed inside we squealed in delight! Well, I did! The color choices, the shaping, the size, all spoke something of the person who made them. How much more does our living, being filled with Him, reflect the Master Weaver? As we guard our time, becoming intentional to pursue Him, we see His purposes accomplished and the world sees His beauty!
Every time I look at the basket sitting on my counter in the kitchen (see first picture!), I am reminded of His great care, intimate shaping, and gracious design in my life. Sure, I can be stubborn and unwilling, but He is gracious and patient. The more I grow in Him, the more willing I become to be His vessel. And there is the joy in living!
To celebrate having completed our baskets and to thank you for being such loyal friends of this space and of Whisper Mountain, Patti and I are giving away one of our handmade baskets! To enter just leave a comment here on the blog or on the Facebook link you are reading from! We will raffle the comments and the winner will be chosen on Monday!
We hope you take notice to how God is weaving your life into beauty!
<<< winner announced here! >>>
