The Rev Lezley Stewart asks how we respond when plans don’t work out as expected.

DON’T you just love it when a plan comes together? When all the pieces fall into place and what you’ve hoped to achieve is there before your eyes – like the completed jigsaw puzzle. Of course it doesn’t always work out that way does it?

Years ago when I was a student, there was a communal jigsaw table in the hall of residence I lived in. It became the focus of activity with people gathering together to add a piece or two, and enjoying some friendly conversation along the way. One of the great frustrations though was the curse of the missing pieces. I read recently of an elderly man who spends his time completing jigsaws that are donated to charity before they go on sale to avoid such frustrations. What a great thing to do!

While the metaphor of the jigsaw might be helpful in some ways to think about life, there are few people who would see their lives as a complete picture that is just broken up into pieces, to be fitted back together. Life is a bit more complicated than that. There are lots of experiences – friendships and conversations – that shape the edges, soften the lines, and change the colours by which such images are made.

I confess that I am someone who likes to plan, and there is great satisfaction when the outcome is as anticipated. However, I find planning also allows for freedom in which to embrace the unexpected and the challenges that come along. Planning offers the space to adapt and change, so that what could be considered negative or disruptive, actually has the potential to be creative and transforming.

I confess that I am someone who likes to plan, and there is great satisfaction when the outcome is as anticipated. However, I find planning also allows for freedom in which to embrace the unexpected and the challenges that come along. Planning offers the space to adapt and change, so that what could be considered negative or disruptive, actually has the potential to be creative and transforming.

As a young Christian I took to heart this verse from Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” I think I held onto this with a certain naivety, which actually placed the focus on me rather than God. As long as I was faithful enough, surely God would make my path straight? But life has much to teach and ministry offers lots to ponder, so I’m now more grateful for the questions of faith rather than any certainties – other than God surely has a sense of humour!

When the things that we plan for don’t turn out; when what we thought were certainties begin to crumble, it is all too easy to feel displaced and disheartened. When we struggle to see how the pieces will come together, and what picture might be created in the end, it is only natural that there are moments of anxiety and longing along the way.

I am often reassured by the folk God chose in the Old Testament to witness to faithfulness, just as I am inspired by those Jesus called to follow him. It’s a pretty mixed bunch, and certainly not the perfect picture of humanity by any stretch of the imagination. God doesn’t need us to have it all sorted out and have all the pieces in place – we just have to be willing to take our part in puzzling it out together.

The Rev Lezley Stewart is Associate Minister at Edinburgh: Greyfriars Kirk.