Living Word

110 E State Rt 54
P.O. Box 158
Roberts, IL 60962

p:

217.395.2231

f:

217.395.2476
 

Douglas W. Lee

God's Masterpiece

When you think of a masterpiece, what comes to mind? Michelangelo's unrivaled sculpture "David" or his frescoes in the Sistine Chapel? Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" or "The Last Supper"? The great cathedral of Notre Dame of Chartres with its magnificent stained glass windows and soaring architecture? Bach's concertos, Handel's "Messiah", Shakespeare's plays? The man made wonders of the ancient world, the art of the Egyptians, the Sumerians, the Chinese, the Persians? Modern accomplishments of technology? The list goes on and on!

All of these are true masterpieces, being defined as "a work done with extraordinary skill; especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement." When we try to imagine the greatest of all masterpieces, we must first imagine the greatest artist, designer, creator. That, of course, is God. He is the Supreme Intellect, the One True Creator, and the Master of all. What then is His greatest masterpiece? His magnum opus? You have heard this before . . . or maybe you haven't: "YOU are God's Masterpiece!"

When we view ourselves from our vantage point, we hardly see a masterpiece! Many, if not most people struggle with thoughts of inadequacy, failure and lack of accomplishment. People's thoughts are hounded with the words, "Not good enough!" or "Loser!!", "Failure", "Washed up!"

Yet from God's vantage point (which of course is the True vantage point!), He sees quite another vision! This is what God says about us: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) Yes! You are a masterpiece, created by the greatest Master of all! And as you know, God's work is perfect!

When you are tempted to see only your flaws (or others flaws!), remember this: A painting is composed of thousands of small brush strokes. A fine sculpture is created with thousands of tiny chiselings if marble, or thousands of sensitive impressions of the artist's fingertips if clay. A magnificent cathedral is built laboriously, one brick at a time. A symphony is composed tediously working and reworking the placement of individual notes. As the artist works, he despairs not at the misplaced brushstroke . . . He brushes over it, as the canvas is accepting! He doesn't give up the lump of clay because of an offset impression. . . He remolds it, as the clay is pliable!

We are a work in progress, a masterpiece in the making. If we despise the current condition of the canvas while longing for some final work of art, some great accomplishment, some "day in the sun", we miss the journey of life! We miss out on the incredible joy of living!

As you begin this week, take joy in the small brush strokes God is painting daily on the canvas of your life. Know that you are a work of art in the Master's Hand. It is His vision, not yours, that is to be the final masterpiece. "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13) Do not despise His brush stokes! He is at work! He has the plan! You may not see the significance of a small brush stroke, but the Master does! Knowing this, the daily, the routine becomes joyous! The tedious has purpose! The mundane takes on eternal meaning! And remember this promise: "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me!" (Psalm 138:8)

Pastor Doug and Lucinda