Creation is a masterpiece.
When I think of God’s amazing creation I picture the beauty all around me.
Smith Rock and the majestic spires I’ve loved since I was little–even before it became an international hot spot for rock climbers.
Our stately mountain range to the West.
Deep canyons and rivers.
Diverse creatures. Big ones…
Small ones.
All created by God. By His hand. For His will.
Then while working on my current novel–in which my main character must recognize her value apart from how the world sees her–I came across a verse I’ve overlooked before.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (ESV, emphasis added)
Here’s another version:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV, emphasis added)
And this one:
“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.” (NLT)
Despite the nuances between different versions, the meaning is the same. God made us. With His own hands. He made me. And you. Every single one of us. But it’s that last version that struck me.
A masterpiece? Me?
The Greek word here is ποίημα (poiēma) which means what is made, a work, or creation. I felt a little bit of a let down. “Masterpiece” was not part of the definition.
But here’s the thing. In Genesis 1 God creates and then proclaims His creation “good” six times. It was good. An all encompassing “good” for all the things he made. And He made all things.
When I see His creation, I see the beauty. The wonder. The majesty. When He created the world, he created a masterpiece.
Which by extension, means he made each of us a masterpiece as well.
Even I am His masterpiece.
How would you live your life differently if you woke up everyday celebrating the fact that you are a masterpiece created by God?
