Love is THE Pattern

Mike Criswell

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Patterns are all around us, shaping everything from what we wear to what we eat.

Take, for example, when you buy a shirt from a store—it’s made following a specific pattern. Or when you grab a bag of chips, you expect it to taste just like before.

But sometimes, a manufacturer might change the pattern. It can be a bit annoying when it doesn’t match what you were expecting, like a shirt that’s too big or a bag of chips that tastes different.

Patterns aren’t just for us. Even God, the ultimate designer of all things, uses them in His creation. He’s the one who created everything, and He uses patterns to make sure everything works as it should. 

In the beginning, God made the universe. When we look at the story of Genesis, we see God using patterns all the time. The sun always rises and sets at the same time, and the stars line up in a certain order. The seasons also follow a pattern that God set up. Our bodies are made according to God’s special pattern, too. We’re different from other animals, even down to our DNA. And just so you know, we didn’t come from monkeys!

So, it’s crucial to comprehend the significance of patterns. As we’ve observed, patterns primarily serve us. They reveal God’s nature, as He embodies order and consistency. Moreover, patterns ensure that food and even our bodies remain uniform every time. However, when a pattern deviates, such as in food products or diseases like cancer, it can cause significant problems. Scientists have discovered that cancer arises from a disruption in a healthy pattern within a cell. 

When it comes to physical things, we all have our own tastes. Some patterns really make our lives better, while others might not. For example, if I don’t like my snack chips, I can switch brands. Or if my shirt is too small, I can get a bigger one or lose some weight. But the Earth keeps spinning, no matter what we think about these little things.

But what about spiritual patterns? Have you ever considered how God uses patterns to draw us closer to Him? Nature serves as a testament to the Grand Designer, God, guiding us toward Christ.

God reveals His designs through two avenues: the world and the Word. The Word of God presents patterns for worship, living, and even behavior and emotions, fostering better connections with others.

In the upcoming Bible Study Worldwide sessions, we’ll delve into the Pattern of Love. While there are numerous patterns to observe, our focus will be on the most significant one—the pattern of love.

We hope you’ll join us on Thursday for this online study. Together, we’ll discover that love transcends mere patterns; it’s the very pattern we must follow in our lives.

Watch the bible study recording at: biblestudyworldwide.com/study-recordings