From Mess to Masterpiece

 

Not too long ago, I was talking with someone whose life was not going the way they had imagined it. Can you relate?

When the enemy is trying to pummel us into the ground, we can begin to feel helpless and hopeless. But we need to be reminded God is at work shaping us into something beautiful.

The Apostle Paul wrote about becoming a masterpiece long ago when he wrote to the Ephesians.

Once, we were a mess:

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Ephesians 2:1-2 NLT

Paul goes on to tell us in verse 3 we all were a mess.

But God,

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, Ephesians 2:4 NLT

Because of that love and mercy, He couldn't leave us in our mess. What did He do?

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For 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 2:8-10 NLT

God saves us not just to save us from the wrath we so deserve, but also to make something beautiful of us.

We are His  workmanship (the ancient Greek word poiema), His beautiful poem. Some translations say "work of art," or "masterpiece" for poiema.

He is creating something beautiful out of each believer's life.

Why? So we can be about the Father's business doing good works. Those works were planned for you from the very beginning, and it is something only you can do. Your unique life and personality, placed in your unique setting, can make a difference in the people around you.

YOU ARE NOT A MISTAKE, GOD HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU TO DO. 

My point to my friend who felt she was not going to receive the dreamed-for life she wanted was God was making something beautiful out of her life. Sometimes it hurts to be molded and shaped into the masterpiece He is creating, but in the end, you wouldn’t have it any other way. You will be beautiful and complete and will enrich the kingdom of God. No one else can take your place, you were uniquely designed and created for such a time as this.

What about you?

Will you embrace the molding and shaping that must take place to turn you into a masterpiece?

Will you embrace a life of good works to influence others for the kingdom?

Remember, those works don't save you - you were saved when you accepted the gift of what Jesus did for you. 

Your good works are to bring glory to Him, our good, good Father.

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I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

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All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy