Having a Kingdom Perspective

Corrie Ten Boom grew up in the Netherlands during the Nazi regime. Her family was devoutly Christian and viewed it as their mission to hide Jews from the Nazis. Eventually, her entire family was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned. Shortly after the death of her sister, Corrie was mysteriously released from the prison camp. 

One would think that this experience would cause Corrie to question God. Why would he repay her family’s devotion with death in prison camps? Instead, she spent the rest of her life preaching God’s grace and forgiveness—even for those who murdered millions including her family members. Later in life, she wrote this poem:

The Tapestry

My life is but a weaving

Between my God and me. 

I cannot choose the colors

He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper

And I the underside.

Not ‘til the loom is silent 

And the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas

And reveal the reason why.   

The dark threads are as needful

In the weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares;

Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives the very best to those

Who leave the choice to Him.

During your mission trip, and even more so during your life, there will be trials and tribulations. You will be tempted to question God and wonder where He is. In that moment, you can know precisely where God is—in heaven working all things together for your good (Rom 8:28) and uniquely with you as the Holy Spirit. 

You can persevere knowing that your God is in heaven weaving a beautiful tapestry. You can take comfort in knowing that His Spirit lives within you. Anchor yourself to God who will not let you slip, and run your race knowing that an eternal glory—that far outweighs any adversity—awaits you in heaven. 

Pray and Journal—Spend some time reflecting on the glory of God and the splendor of heaven. Ask God to bring verses of promise to your mind and heart that will focus you on the unseen eternal in time of tribulation. Write them down and commit them to memory. Close your time in prayer committing yourself to whatever God might have in store for you and asking for a kingdom perspective that accepts the answer “my grace is sufficient for you.”