God's Masterpiece

The Apostle Paul wrote, “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT).

Did you catch that? You are God’s masterpiece! The original word Paul used for masterpiece in Greek was poema. We get our word “poem” from that word.

That’s how God created you, as an intricately designed and carefully worded poem, put together just as He planned for you to be. His masterpiece.

Yes, we’ve all sinned, and we’ve fallen short of God’s plan. But Paul’s point in Ephesians 2 was that once we have received Christ, we’ve been created anew in Christ Jesus! Restored to be all He planned for us to be.

I think we all suffer to some extent with feelings of inadequacy. So we try to pump ourselves up with the clothes we wear and the cars we drive, promoting ourselves to prove our worth.

But from God’s perspective, we have nothing to prove. He made you on purpose the way you are, and for a much greater purpose than impressing other people.

Think of it this way…if you were not who you are, you wouldn’t exist. You are who you are because God wanted you to be just the way He created you. He made you with the gifts, abilities, characteristics, and personality that He wanted you to have.

And because He made you entirely unique from everyone else, you are able to uniquely bring glory and pleasure to God in a way that no one else can.

So stop trying to be someone you are not. Stop trying to be someone else. Yes, be the best you can be. Work hard, improve yourself, be all you can be. But be yourself. Be the best version of who God created you to be.

I used to think, “When I get to heaven, I want to sing like Michael or play guitar like Matthew.” But I’ve come to realize that God didn’t make me to be Michael or Matthew, even in heaven. I doubt I will be any better at singing in heaven than I am now. But with my sin nature gone, I’ll be able to appreciate the gifts of others better, rather than wanting to do what they can do. That will free me up to focus on who God created me to be and do what He created me to do.

He loves you just the way you are. And He loves you so much, He’s moving in your life and changing your character and values to match those of His Son. Created anew in Christ Jesus. His masterpiece!