God's Handiwork

Dec 29

The place where you are right now may very well be exactly where God needs you to be, to grow into the person He intends for you to become. I am paraphrasing this from a recent sermon I heard, but since then, these words have replayed in my heart and mind, echoing with both bittersweetness and profound resonance.

As human beings, we hold a unique position in relation to God. We are called His Own, His most precious jewels, His beloved. Yet, at the same time, we are still in the process of being shaped, in a state of transformation, like unfinished clay that needs to be molded.

So, where does that leave us? Right where God wants us to be and even better in God’s care. In His hands, the process will always feel incomplete. Even as I write this, I have just cried out to the Lord (only a few tears, lol), because this process of being molded is hard, often lonely, and very emotional. However, God says in His Word that He disciplines those He loves.

To be disciplined by God, as described in the Bible, reflects this scripture that we are “God’s handiwork”, Ephesians 2:10 further goes on to say that we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Being God’s handiwork means we are skillfully and wonderfully made to perfection in His sight. We are created in the very image of God, and each day, He continues to perfect us. He disciplines us with instruction and correction out of love, shaping us into His best masterpiece.

This process is like a work of art that requires intentionality; nothing is rushed or done prematurely. We are uniquely God's masterpiece, and with each transformation into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ, we gain greater value and worth.

Imagine an artist who finishes a painting and gazes at it in awe, thinking, "My work is done." But then, the next day, the artist returns and sees new details, perhaps a missed spot or a color that needs to be added. Does the finished painting get discarded? No, because the artist has spent years working on it. Instead, the artist listens to what the painting reveals, how it makes him feel, and adds more colors, softer strokes, or subtle details.

The painting itself has changed. Though the artist is still in awe all the more.

God is our master painter, and we are the art of His creation. This art is a work in progress, constantly being refined and made more beautiful as Jesus is revealed in and through us.

Let's take a quick look at God's finest handiwork in the Bible: Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul, and Simon to Peter.

These are not just names transforming; they are woven pieces of clay molded by the Creator to declare His glory. These are the marvelous works of God's hands, His craftsmanship since the beginning of creation. When God first breathed life into Adam, that same breath has been carried down through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection; making you and me the final strokes in His masterpiece, the expression of His divine artistry. “For God created man for his glory.” – Isaiah 43:7

God’s eternal creativity shows us that, even as we are in the process of being transformed and made in His likeness, we can trust the Artist, the Craftsman, the Painter. God is the Creator of all things, and He knows exactly what He is doing. Even when we can't see the full picture, every piece of us matters. He works in depth, down to the very fibers and fabric of our being, until the image of Jesus is displayed in us completely.

Prayer:

God, thank you for showing us that you care for us. Today, we acknowledge that your love is kind and deeply appreciated in our lives. Thank you for showing up in our lives as a master craftsman and artist, thoughtful with your designs because to you, every detail matters. Help us to be patient as we go through the process of being molded into the fullness of Jesus. We know that you are evident all around us. Guide us to be good stewards of everything you have made. May we embrace our uniqueness and reflect your love and creativity in our lives, always with a grateful heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Fun Assignment:

Find one thing this week, indoors or outside, that shows God’s glory and His artistry. You can take a picture of it or yourself and share in the comments or send it to me. Let’s celebrate God's creativity in every part of life!

45 Top Bible Verses About God Being An Artist