Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 250 September 04, 2001
The Waever’s Art

The reeds were meticulously woven in and out around the center. At times the weaver’s hand moved so quickly, it was almost impossible to follow.

Soon, in front of my eyes, a basket began to take shape, out of what had been a pile of reeds only a few moments ago. Each weave of the basket contributed to it’s shape and strength. Each basket was uniquely woven by hand.

Some were small and utilitarian. Others were large and ornate, made more for their beauty than for practical use. Some were woven of fine grasses and others of coarse green branches.

Long before the shape became apparent to me, the weaver had a design in his mind’s eye. He knew the placement and shaping of each reed even before he began to weave.

Growing up, we used to joke about going off to college and taking mindless courses like Basket Weaving 101. Courses that would be good for easy credit.

In truth, the weavers art is anything but simple. Virtually anyone can learn to make some kind of a basket, but a true weaver is an artist.

I wonder how often we’re guilty of thinking the same way about God as we used to with basket weaving courses. We know what the best thing to do is and how things should be run. At least we seem to think we do.

We tell God that we want His will to be done, then dictate our own will in our prayer life. I wonder sometimes, why we don’t hear God speaking to us the words He spoke to Job

Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:



"Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone--while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?

"Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, `This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'?

"Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.

"Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?

Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?

Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?

Tell me, if you know all this.

"What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?

Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!

Job 38:1-23 NIV We’re called to take all of our concerns to Him. We also need to learn to trust Him for the best answer to our situation.

Until next time, when you presume to take the place of the weaver and dictate your terms, remember His art is not as easy as it seems.

God bless.

Kevin