Masterpiece.....
....what do you think of?
Do you think of a portrait painted by a renowned artist?
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| Starry Night, by Vincent VanGogh |
A famous statue chiseled by a well-known sculptor?
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| The Thinker, by Auguste Rodin |
Or how about an incredible piece of music created by a celebrated composer?
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| The Hallelujah Chorus, by George Frideric Handel |
This past Sunday, our pastor preached a sermon about who God wants us to be and how He sees us. He referenced Ephesians 2:10:
'For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.'
As someone who has spent WAY too much time over the years comparing myself to other people and my circumstances to theirs, and has come up wanting each time, I'd like to share a bit of what I took away from my pastor's sermon. I know there's someone out there in the blogosphere besides myself who needs to be reminded of these truths -- or perhaps needs to hear them and learn them for the very first time.
When we don't accept who we are, or what we have, or our situation, we become depressed, dissatisfied, discontent. But really -- who are we?
We are God's workmanship. Some Bible translations say 'God's creation' or 'God's handiwork.' But the New Living Translation says it this way: 'We are God's masterpiece.'
The word 'workmanship' in our English language is translated 'poemia' in Greek, which is where we get the word 'poem.' So literally speaking, we are God's poem, a poetic statement, written by God.
Think about that in regards to yourself. Get up from the computer, go find a mirror and take a look at yourself as you think, no....as you say aloud: "I am God's masterpiece; a poem, written by Him." Let that truth sink in for a few moments.
You are a unique individual, created by the Lord God; special, set apart for Him. You were created in the image of God (check out Genesis 1:27). He took time to form you, to knit you like a beautiful piece of tapestry, in your mother's womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth." ~ Psalm 139: 13-15, NIV
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born, I separated and set you apart, consecrating you;" ~ Jeremiah 1:5, AMP
God knew exactly how He wanted you to look:
*your height
*your skin, eye and hair color
*your birthmarks, beauty marks, freckles
*the shape of your face, nose, lips, eyes and ears
God knew exactly how He wanted you to sound:
*the tone of your speaking voice
*the timbre of your singing voice
*the lilt of your laughter
Listen -- stop trying to be somebody else. Somebody you aren't. Because you CAN NEVER BE who you're supposed to be if you waste your time and your life trying to be someone God didn't create you to be.
God created you to be you.
He didn't create you to preach like Billy Graham or Francis Chan or Tony Evans.
He didn't create you to write like Max Lucado or Neta Jackson or Priscilla Shirer.
He didn't create you to hit high notes like Mariah Carey or play the guitar like B.B. King or dance like Gene Kelly.
God created YOU to be YOU!
Are you getting the picture now? No pun intended. But seriously, please don't look at yourself and merely see someone who is unattractive or who doesn't measure up with the perfect, popular crowd. Don't keep reminding yourself of the poor choices you made ten years ago, or the mistakes you made yesterday. Please STOP right now. Because this is not -- repeat, IS NOT -- how God sees you when He looks at you.
You are a beautiful tapestry, woven and spun by the Master Weaver -- carefully, intentionally.
You are a magnificent vessel, formed by The Potter's hands -- lovingly, tenderly.
You are a glorious poetic symphony, created by the Consummate Composer, sung by the Sacred Psalmist -- joyfully, passionately.
YOU are a masterpiece.
God's Masterpiece!
