Pastor’s Corner: “Perspectives from Heaven”
“You Are His Masterpiece” Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) – 10 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.
During this time of social distancing, feelings of loneliness and insignificance are growing even more than ever before in our disconnected society. While we are able to take advantage of technology to stay connected, deep relationships are declining. We were made to be deeply connected to not only one another; we were made to be deeply connected to God. No matter how many new technologies may be created to stay connected, the loneliness and insignificance that we experience will never be addressed without being connected to our God. Thankfully and amazingly, despite our sin and arrogance, God has made a way through His son Jesus Christ that we can be connected to our Heavenly Father! We are accepted, loved and adored. You are His, a valued and precious treasure. A masterpiece!
Have you ever introduced yourself as a masterpiece of fine art? I’m guessing probably not yet. Paul calls us “God’s masterpiece.” Do you know what that means? When God created you, He created a work of art that is one of a kind, custom designed, and tailor-made by the Master’s hand! Often when we look at ourselves, we don’t see a masterpiece at all. Instead, our view is distorted by lenses that magnify every little flaw, blemish, and imperfection like a flashing neon sign.
Consider this scenario. Imagine yourself standing with an artist before his masterpiece, would you point out all the things you don’t like about it, maybe what he could have done differently to make it better, or even brazenly take a brush to alter his work? Probably not. Don’t we do the same thing when we scoff at ourselves in front of our Maker? The prophet Isaiah says, “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘You did not make me?’ Can the pot say to the potter, ‘You know nothing?’” (Isaiah 29:16 NIV) Ouch! I don’t know about you, but I never thought of my sharp critiques of myself as harsh criticism of my Creator.
God knows you. He knows your thoughts and actions. He created you, designed you, and you’re breathtaking. He knew you from the beginning, inside and out. In fact, God loves you so much, He sent His Son to die on the cross for you! Take a minute and soak in the truth, that even if you do nothing to change yourself, you are enough just the way you are. If you ever begin to doubt how much God loves you or how pleased He is with you as His creation, take off those old lenses and remind yourself of how God sees you through the lens of these scriptures: Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) – 17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Psalm 139:17-18 (NLT) – 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
Let these scriptures fill you mind and heart today and connect with your Heavenly Father!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton & Family