A Poem; A Masterpiece: A Work of Art

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, that God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We are His workmanship. Pastor Bob explained that this means we are His poem - the poetry of God. We are living, breathing poetry, designed to reflect some of His glorious beauty back to Him. God takes pleasure in His children. Each of us is unique and special to Him. Each of us has been created for a special purpose, with a perfect design and a perfect plan.

We are His work of art. I'm going through some old papers, sorting out a pile of junk, organizing (as usual). I found an old picture today, drawn by Sarah when she was a little girl. She obviously took great care in designing and executing the picture of a lion, with his proud mane and cat-like body. It was a work of art.

All of the created realm is God's work of art (See Psalm 19 - the heavens declare the glory of God, the firmament showeth His handiwork), but Christians - God's chosen ones - are His special work of art - His magnum opus. God is doing a beautiful work in our lives, restoring the image of Christ in us. We aren't just cracked and marred clay pots (although, that we are). We have been formed and fashioned for a specific purpose, designed by the Great Artist for His pleasure.

We are created in Christ Jesus. This is in the passive voice. There was nothing WE could do to be born. We never decided our talents and interests, our passions and strengths. God planned each and every detail of our lives. He is the Potter; we are the clay. He chose the clay (Eph. 1:4), and worked with it to fashion the vessel of His choosing (Eph. 1:7). He placed it in a display cabinet to proclaim the depth of His grace.

Ephesians 2:7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus

We're not perfect yet. We're cracked and chipped and broken. Yet God is working on us.

We're His canvas. He is developing us, shaping us, forming and fashioning us to the praise of His glory and grace.

He uses godly friends to shape us. He uses church and family and work and health issues, job and disappointments, stubbed toes and disappointments, marital difficulties and feelings of failure. Every single thing that happens in our lives is designed to be a part of His great masterpiece of conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ and using us for His glory!

There's never a reason to be discouraged. There's never a reason to give up. The Great Artist, the Creator of Heaven and earth and all that is within it is writing a poem with your life, if you are His child. He is painting a picture, fashioning a sculpture, displaying an eternal trophy of His grace. He won't give up on you. He's still working on you.

He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be.

It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,

The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.

How loving and patient He must be, He's still working on me.

1. There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,

Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part.

But I'll be perfect just according to His plan

Fashioned by the Master's loving hands.

CHORUS:

2. In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see

Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.

He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray

Remember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.