May 14, 2026
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.—Ephesians 2:10
Everything you experience in life, the times of rejoicing and the times of sorrow, everything that you invest in My kingdom and in sharing My love with others, is like a thread in a tapestry. As you travel through different seasons of life, dark threads and bright threads are woven together in ways that are not always visible to you to create My masterpiece—you.
The tapestry of your life—with its many colors and seasons—is beautiful in My sight. All the eternal things—the love you gave and received, the lives that were better because of you—these are threads that shine brightly.
The dark threads are the difficulties and disappointments, the trials and the tears, the tragedies and the loss. These threads provide the backdrop for the bright threads that shine ever brighter until that perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).
The tapestry of your life is unique, as you are My unique creation, created in Me to fulfill My good plans and purposes for your life and the lives of others.
For God … made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.—2 Corinthians 4:6–7
I have made My light shine in your heart, and My Spirit dwells within you and radiates outward to touch the lives of your family, friends, and coworkers, and those you encounter every day. Your fragile human vessel outwardly declines over time, but your inner self is renewed day by day and transformed by My Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:16).
I have called My people from every walk of life, and I often work through those who have no greatness or strength of their own, to show My power (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). All those who shine My light before others and do good works in My name do so by My power. As I am lifted up, I work through you to draw people to Me (Matthew 5:16; John 12:32).
The way of the world is to be strong, self-reliant, and self-confident, but those who will be great in My kingdom walk the path of humility and dependence on Me. Their lives will be filled with the fruit of My Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faith (Galatians 5:22–23).
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.—Matthew 13:45–46
The creation of a pearl is an intricate process. When a grain of sand finds its way into an oyster, it troubles the oyster, which then covers the grain of sand with layer upon layer of nacre, until ever so slowly that grain of sand becomes a pearl.
My kingdom is filled with pearls of great price—for whom I gave My life. The times of trials, struggles and challenges you face in this life will only make you more valuable and priceless in My sight, if you trust Me to work through them.
In times of difficulties you learn lessons that you would not be able to learn any other way, and you grow in patience, endurance, faith, perseverance, compassion for others, and much more (Romans 5:3–4). So count it joy when you experience difficulties or a challenging phase of life, and trust that it is part of the process of growing your faith, so that you can be mature and complete, and not lacking anything (James 1:2–4).
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ... You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.—2 Corinthians 9:8, 11
When you find yourself wondering what you have to offer others, remember that I have called you to love others and give of yourself to them. Even when you feel inadequate, remind yourself that My Spirit is at work in you to fulfill My good purposes (Philippians 2:13). You are called to be an emissary of hope to the people I place in your life. Every person you encounter in a day has needs, everyone has problems, and you could be the one to fill someone’s need or help solve their problem and show My love for them.
You could be the one to speak the word of encouragement and hope that lifts them from the depths. Your smile could remind them that they are seen and valued, and the sun will shine again in their lives. Your words that point them to their eternal hope in Me through salvation could restore their will to live and draw them to Me.
Your friendship could fill a vacancy in their life and bring them one step closer to Me, as they come to understand My unconditional love through your selfless giving and care for them. For those who are growing weary and losing hope, your faith could be the spark to revive their faith. Your kindness, compassion, and care could be the answer to their prayer. Never underestimate the power of My love and Spirit at work in and through you to touch the lives of others.
My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches that come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:19
I am with you always, My presence surrounds you and I go before you and will never leave nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8). Even at those times when you don’t feel My nearness or My presence, I am just as near as I have always been, and you are just as dear to Me. You can always bring your every concern and burden to Me in prayer and find My promised rest for your soul (Matthew 11:28–30).
I work in your life through the things you experience to help you to draw near to Me and understand your deep need of Me. If you did not face any difficulties, you would not grow in your faith and learn to trust Me and My promises to you in My Word. It is in your times of difficulty that you learn to seek Me with all your heart, and that is the place where you find Me (Jeremiah 29:13).
Remember that I am always with you and I am your good shepherd who is with you in the darkest valleys of life, leading you and restoring your soul (Psalm 23:1–4), because I love you. So bring all your cares to Me and let Me carry the worries, heartaches, and burdens, while you find your rest in Me.
Come to Me, tell Me all your troubles, and let Me comfort and guide you. Let My Word provide the peace, hope, and wisdom you seek. In Me, you will find all that you need (Psalm 23:1). Remember that I have promised to work all things together for good in the lives of those who love Me (Romans 8:28). Trust that one day you will see how I worked in and through everything you faced in life to fulfill My good purposes.
Originally published in 2010. Adapted and republished May 2026. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by Michael Dooley.
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