One of my favorite puzzles as a child was connecting the dots. I anticipated seeing the “big picture” once all the numbers or letters were connected.
We all encounter times in our lives when we struggle to make sense of the dots of our past as we try to hone in on the right path that will lead us to fulfill our God-given purpose in life.
These dots could include courses we took, jobs we accepted, friends we made, and any of the other major and not-so-major decisions we made in our lives.
God Sees the Big Picture
Think of it this way. Someone created the connect-the-dots puzzles I used to enjoy. That person saw that “big picture” as he or she positioned the dots on the page. In the same way, God visualizes our lives before we are born.
To us, our lives may seem to be a meaningless collection of happenings. To the Lord, our God, it all makes perfect sense since He is a perfect God.
Suggestions on Connecting Your Life's Dots
We should take time to thoughtfully and prayerfully look backward so we can know more about who we are and what we should be doing going forward. Here are some suggestions to consider.
Recall some of your successes in any area of your life that you are proud of or for which you have received praise.
Identify the talents, abilities, and strengths that helped you accomplish those successes.
List the skills you have acquired that will help you fulfill your life purpose going forward. Do you have skills you don’t use the way you should?
List the professional or other credentials and competencies you have.
Recall the work and general life experiences that have shaped who you are today.
Consider the roles, responsibilities and general life experiences that have energized you.
Whether successes or failures, what life lessons you have learned?
What insights about vocations, values or character qualities come to you from the lives or professions of your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents?
Recall what has helped you in your professional, work, and social relationships. Which have had a negative influence?
List the ways in which you have served others. Have any of these experiences given you meaningful satisfaction and led you to consider further service?
These are just of the few of life's dots that could be connected to help us see the "big picture" God has created for us. We should prayerfully consider them and the role they play in our lives going forward as we walk Christian walk.
Additional reading:
Listen to God's Words
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11.
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
"Because believing that all the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow you heart, even when it leads you off the well-worn path." Steve Jobs
In the Words of Others
“Because believing that all the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well-worn path.” Steve Jobs
“If we don’t manage to connect the dots anymore and the power of our imagination is creaking at the seams, in a world of withering expectations, we have to rewrite the script of our life.” Erik Pevernagie
Think About It
If you used the keyword exercise mentioned above, how did you feel about it? What did you discover about yourself and what you should be doing in life? What themes emerged?
What keywords did you use to describe successes in the various areas of your life? What God-given strengths and abilities helped you?
What keywords would you use to describe the skills you acquired along the way to help you?
Were there any keywords or phrases that stirred up memories about activities or causes that energized you?
If asked about the role God played in your successes and ability to discover and fulfill your life purpose, what would you say?
