This capture of the Los Osos Valley at sunset with its golden glow emphasizes the rock formation in the foreground and Hollister Peak in the background. Notice how they have a similar outline. It’s like they share a common pattern of different proportions.

I remember the “good old days” when dressmaking was a skill mothers frequently used. My mother went to the fabric store, looked through the catalog, and selected the dress and size she wanted. The clerk would then go to a file and pull out the chosen pattern. Off we’d go with the fabric and pattern to make the dress.

The thin paper pattern was pinned to the fabric in an efficient way. Cutouts were carefully made and sewn together, and Mom was the proud owner of a new dress. I was even allowed to develop my skills of removing pins, picking up scraps and occasionally cutting out a simple pattern, including the darts.

Freedom is sacred to God, but He has given us a pattern in the form of Jesus. We are each unique fabric, and we can choose our style, or we can wing it and hope for the best. I can remember one freelance shirt that never fit quite right. It had an awkward pull at the sleeve, and the collar was skewed a bit to the left. It was short-lived, and I was relieved and re-sleeved.

I propose that the basic pattern of Jesus is essential to our full potential. We are blessed when we purpose to follow the pattern. That’s just how we were made by the Creator. Jesus said, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel” (John‬ ‭5:19-20).‬ ‭How much more do we need a pattern so we can love better and be authentic!

That we may marvel! If we follow the pattern of Jesus, others will also marvel and be blessed. We can be the fiberoptic cable to connect others to Jesus. We don’t glorify the cables in our house; we glory in the images they project. Let us focus on the pattern and be honored to lift Him up.

—Larry Smith