A Note from Missy Villa

I'm really into personality quizzes. I can tell you my letters, my animals, my types, my strengths, my colors, my greek words, and so on. I can even tell you which Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Disney characters I am... (you can roll your eyes here, it's okay! 😉)

What I love about these silly quizzes is how they highlight how beautifully unique we all are. And yet - as unique as we each are, Genesis 1:27 says we are all made in His image. This means the fullest picture of who God is comes through multiple and diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences. God designed us to need one another to fully experience Him. He made us for relationship - not just with Him - but for Him with one another. 

I recently came across this poem and it so perfectly speaks to our need for meaningful community, I wanted to share it with you… 

Jigsaw

Each lifetime is the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
For some there are more pieces.
For others the puzzle is more difficult to assemble.
Some seem to be born with a nearly completed puzzle.
And so it goes.
Souls going this way and that.
Trying to assemble the myriad parts.
But know this. No one has within themselves
All the pieces to their puzzle.
Like before the days when they used to seal
jigsaw puzzles in cellophane. Insuring that
All the pieces were there.
Everyone carries with them at least one and probably
Many pieces to someone else’s puzzle.
Sometimes they know it.
Sometimes they don’t.
And when you present your piece
Which is worthless to you,
To another, whether you know it or not,
You are a messenger from the Most High.

- Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, 1977

Often we have little idea of either the impact that we have on others or of our interconnectedness until we look back and see how God has used us to bring encouragement, hope, growth, and healing to one another. You’ve changed others and they’ve changed you. 

If you’re not connected in community right now, we would love to help you get plugged into a group! You can find out more at our website, or if you want to chat, shoot me an email. I'd love to hear from you!

With love,

Missy Villa
Director of Campus Experience