God's Workmanship

​“For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10                                                                                                                                                                      
Picasso said “Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.”  I find this to be a true statement.  I love to paint, to draw, to create pieces of art and thoroughly enjoy the work of fellow artists and of children.  There is magic in art, it can stir the emotions and calm the mind. 
As wonderful as man made art is, it cannot compare to the amazing beauty created by God, the Creator of all that exists.  No one can paint a sky like God can.  No artist, try as they might, can make the colors God can create when He turns the sky from turquoise to orange to gold to indigo.  Nature expresses the wonder of the Master Artist in countless ways, but His most beautiful creation is mankind. We are made in His image, crafted with skill and a purpose, by God for His purposes..
How interesting that the Greek word translated ‘workmanship’ in Ephesians 2:10 is poiema, from which we get our English words ‘poem’ and ‘poetry’. Genesis 1:27 is the first occurrence of poetry in the Old Testament.  “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NIV. Poiema can also be translated ‘work of art’ or ‘masterpiece’.  We are God’s work or art, His poetry in motion, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  Sometimes we don’t feel like a beautiful work of art, we’ve forgotten our purpose.  God didn’t create us with His masterful workmanship just so we might be the brightest, most beautiful, most skillful,or most successful.  We were created in Christ for good works, planned and designed by God, specifically for us. Good works that further the kingdom of God, good works that grow and exhibit our faith.  He has a plan for you.  A good plan filled with good things for you to do. He has created and gifted us each uniquely, we are treasured and beautiful in His sight, and fortunately, He isn't finished yet.  We are His most valuable expression, created to declare the most significant story our Savior has to tell…the story of grace.  We are His masterpiece.