BY JUDY DOUGLASS
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
The artist worked slowly, meticulously, lovingly. He knew this would be a masterpiece. Every stroke was intentional, every curve purposeful, ever color enhancing.
Then came the unveiling day! The final birth pangs were challenging, but so worth it. As she appeared and his eyes beheld her, he almost fell back, breathless. She was lovely, astonishing, perfect. Just exactly as he had envisioned.
A work of art!
Which is exactly how God sees us.
The psalmist gives us a glimpse of the amazing process of God designing each of us:
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16
The apostle Paul reveals the outcome: "We are God's handiwork {workmanship, work of art, masterpiece}" (Ephesians 2:10a).
When you were being formed inside your mother, God Himself was there, designing you, forming you according to His perfect plan. He created your shape, your personality, your features, your temperament. He instilled gifts and abilities in you, infused you with aptitudes and attitudes.
The same for me. Personally, I've had some conversations with Him about how He made me. I've suggested that two more inches of height would have been so easy for Him and so helpful for me. I could reach higher shelves, and my feet would touch the floor in most chairs. And I would really appreciate if I had just a little musical ability--an ear, a voice, some rhythm. But no--none, nada.
He did give me some great gifts--a strong will, a heart to encourage and exhort, courage to speak up. He gave me words--to speak and write.
And God was pleased. He was so pleased that, when I was born, He said, "Look at her! She's exactly what I had in mind! She's a work of art, a masterpiece."
That's also what He said about you. With all the abilities and tendencies and strengths and weaknesses He wove into your being, when you were born, He cried out: "Look at her! She's exactly what I had in mind! She's a work of art, a masterpiece."
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To read the complete article in which Judy Douglass discusses the three primary purposes for which God created us, purchase your copy of BECOMING, Vol.1: IDENTITY.