Walk with Him: Can You See the Whole Tapestry?

There is a fable about a tiny caterpillar crawling across the underside of a magnificent, woven tapestry. It sees only a confusing mess of knotted, loose, and clashing threads. It feels pain, dust and chaos, concluding that the weaver is clumsy or that the universe has no design. Only after the caterpillar becomes a butterfly and is lifted from a restricted, ground-level view is the tapestry seen as a breathtaking, coherent, and purposeful masterpiece.

Seen from the ground-level, the story of Esther is about decadent indulgence, unrighteous dominion, the objectifying of women, prejudice, and plans of murder. When seen from above, however, we see purpose, patience and persuasion. Purpose in defying the tradition of defiling women during drunken parties (Vashti) or saving the Jewish people at the risk of death (Esther). Patience in taking time to fast for three days and prepare a strategic approach to the king. Persuasion from others, both good and evil (friends of King Ahasuerus and Haman, Mordecai).

There is no mention of God in these verses, the tapestry artist seems to be anonymous. But His handiwork is distinguishable. Courageous, righteous women and men stepping forward to thwart evil, being in the right place at the right time. The story reminds us to step back, away from the knotted, messy threads of our everyday lives and see the beauty of the tapestry we’re creating with God, the master weaver.

“There is a guiding hand above all things. Often when things happen, it’s not by accident. One day, when we look back at the seeming coincidences of our lives, we will realize that perhaps they weren’t so coincidental after all.” (President Thomas S. Monson)

“What should you be looking for in your own life? What are God’s miracles that remind you that He is close, saying, ‘I am right here’? Think of those times, some daily, when the Lord has acted in your life—and then acted again. Treasure them as moments the Lord has shown confidence in you and in your choices. But allow Him to make more of you than you can make of yourself on your own. Treasure His involvement. Sometimes we consider changes in our plans as missteps on our journey. Think of them more as first steps to being ‘on the Lord’s errand.’” (Elder Ronald A. Rasband)