What a 50-Cent Puzzle Taught Me About Spiritual Growth

Have you ever wondered how God grows us into the women He has called us to be? Sometimes He uses the simplest things to teach us the deepest truths. A 50-cent puzzle from a thrift store reminded me that spiritual growth doesn't happen overnight—it happens one piece at a time.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I were shopping at a thrift store when I found a puzzle for just 50 cents. I bought it simply because I loved the picture on the front. It was filled with colorful hot air balloons, and I've always been fascinated by them. One day, I would love to ride in a hot air balloon. What about you?

My sweet husband tried to talk me out of buying the puzzle because he was pretty sure it would be missing a few pieces. As it turned out...he was right!

As I worked on that puzzle, I couldn't help but think about how much it reminded me of our spiritual walk with Christ.

We Come to Jesus Like Puzzle Pieces

When you first open a puzzle box, all you see is a pile of scattered pieces. They don't seem to make much sense on their own.

Isn't that how many of us come to Jesus?

Broken.

Scattered.

In need of a Savior.

The beautiful thing is that Jesus doesn't ask us to put ourselves together before coming to Him. He meets us exactly where we are.

Building on a Firm Foundation

Whenever I work on a puzzle, I always begin with the border pieces. I like having a solid foundation before I move on to the rest.

When we place our faith in Jesus, He becomes the firm foundation of our lives. At that very moment, God also gives us the Holy Spirit, who begins the lifelong work of making us more like Christ.

Piece by Piece

After I finish the border, I separate the remaining pieces by color. Then I begin looking for where each one belongs.

I think our spiritual growth often looks the same way.

The Holy Spirit doesn't usually reveal every area of our lives that needs changing all at once. Instead, He lovingly works with us piece by piece.

Sometimes I try to fit a puzzle piece where I think it belongs, only to discover it doesn't fit. I set it aside, come back later, and eventually find its proper place.

The Holy Spirit is so patient with us. Through His Word, through prayer, and through His gentle conviction, He continues shaping us until each piece begins to fit into His beautiful design.

Now, I don't believe we will ever be completely "finished" on this side of heaven. But I do believe we should continually pursue holiness and become more like Christ every day.

That doesn't happen by accident.

It happens through spiritual disciplines.

Spiritual Discipline #1: Reading God's Word

Spiritual disciplines aren't meant to feel like a burden or another item on a checklist.

They are simply practices found in Scripture that help us grow closer to Jesus and become more like Him.

Over the next several weeks, I'd like to walk through some of these disciplines together.

Please don't read this series and begin feeling guilty or overwhelmed, thinking you have to master every discipline overnight.

Instead, ask the Holy Spirit to show you one or two areas where He wants you to grow. As you faithfully walk with Him, He will continue adding piece after piece to the beautiful work

He is doing in your life.

Remember, this isn't a sprint.

It's a marathon.

Why Reading God's Word Matters

I've often heard it said that God's Word contains everything we need for life.

We don't have to wonder how God wants us to live. As we spend time in His Word and in prayer, He faithfully guides us.

Psalm 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Psalm 119:11

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

These verses remind us that God's Word lights our path, transforms our hearts, and helps us know Him more deeply.

I've Been There Too

I have to admit there have been many seasons when I wasn't faithfully reading God's Word.

Life was busy.

I had my own plans.

My own agenda.

My own way of thinking.

But as I've grown older and intentionally spent time studying and meditating on Scripture, I've seen God mature me in ways I never imagined.

The more time I spend with Him, the more I realize how much I still have to learn.

Seeking God With All Our Hearts

Jeremiah 29:13 tells us,

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

To truly seek Him, we have to spend time in His Word.

Going to church is important.

Being in community with other believers is important.

Listening to Bible teaching is important.

But none of those things can replace opening our own Bible and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal who God is and what He wants to teach us personally.

If you're struggling to read your Bible consistently, I want you to know something.

I won't shame you.

I won't condemn you.

I've been where you are.

Where Should You Begin?

I believe every believer should read through the entire Bible at least once—and then keep reading it again and again.

You may be thinking,

"I don't understand the Bible."

"I don't know where to start."

Believe me...I've had those same thoughts.

The important thing is simply to begin.

One resource I highly recommend is The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble. She walks through the Bible chronologically and provides a short daily teaching that helps explain what you've just read. It has been an incredible resource for many believers.

(For the record, I receive nothing for recommending it. I simply think it's helpful.)

This year, I'm reading through For the Love of God, Volume One by D. A. Carson. It takes me through four different passages each day. I'll read through the New Testament and Psalms twice while reading the rest of the Bible once.

Every time I read through Scripture, the Holy Spirit shows me something fresh.

That's one of the beautiful things about God's Word.

It never grows old.

The Difference Between Reading and Studying the Bible

Donald S. Whitney says in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life that the difference between Bible reading and Bible study is often as simple as adding a pen and paper.

Write down your observations.

Record your questions.

Look up cross-references.

Study repeated words.

Outline chapters.

Take notes on what God is teaching you.

Before long, you'll have a much deeper understanding of Scripture than if you simply read the words and moved on.

God's Word Makes Us More Like Christ

Jesus prayed these words in John 17:17:

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

God uses His Word to sanctify us—to make us more like Jesus.

As we faithfully spend time in Scripture, He slowly transforms our hearts, one piece at a time.

Just like that little 50-cent puzzle, our lives are being put together by the Master Designer.

We may not always understand where every piece belongs, and sometimes it may even feel like a piece is missing. But God never loses sight of the finished picture He is creating.

He is faithfully working in you.

One piece at a time.

A Question to Consider

I'll leave you with a question from Donald S. Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life that has challenged me many times:

If your growth in godliness were measured by the quality of your Bible intake, what would the result be?

Take a few moments to sit with that question and ask the Lord to reveal what your next step might be.

I'd Love to Hear From You

What has helped you become more consistent in reading God's Word?

Share your thoughts in the comments below. I'd love to hear your story.

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Blessings,

Beth