Hear the good news this morning! God loves you with an unfailing love!
I shared this message about 18 months ago with some of you. This verse and my artistic analogy has come to my mind several times over the past few weeks. I feel led to share this message once again this morning. May you and I hear these words and rest in the assurance of God’s amazing love for us…for truly you and I are masterpieces in the gallery of His glorious heart!
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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.
-Ephesians 2:10 – NIV
It was a warm Spring day in Washington, DC. Several months shy of my 25th birthday, I was relieved to have a much needed day off from my stress filled nursing shifts in the busy Coronary Care Unit at the hospital. Knowing I needed a mental health day, I decided to explore something new and take advantage of the gift of living in our Nation’s Capital.
Now you have to understand that I am a bit of a cultural infidel when it comes to art. I took art appreciation in college and passed, but let’s just say, understanding the nuances of artistic motivation was not my strong suit. I reckon I am more of a “science” girl.
At any rate, I found myself at the National Gallery of Art entering an exhibition on the Impressionists. I remembered studying this genre in college and their work had impressed me then. Still, I was not prepared for seeing the real thing. The paintings were exquisite, the colors vivid, the scenery beautiful. The paintings differed in size, some large, some small. The color palettes varied, yet all had the characteristic qualities of this artistic style. In room after room, I stood mesmerized by the magnificence of these works of art.
You could search the world over and never quite reproduce such beauty. They were unique, one of a kind, absolute masterpieces.
My friends, so are you. You are God’s masterpiece, His beloved handiwork. He created you in His own image (Genesis 1:27). You are unique, one of a kind, a true work of art. God stands back and gazes at you through eyes of love. God treasures you.
God has a good purpose for your life. Stand back, pause, take that thought in. Breathe deeply. God loves you with an unfailing love.
Think of the satisfaction the artist feels when he steps back to survey the finished canvas. He had a vision in his mind, put his brush into a pot of color, and with carefully wielded strokes, brought that vision to life. As he contemplates his finished work, he no doubt knows there are flaws and imperfections. Yet, those flaws are meaningless when the entire work is taken into account.
Yes, we are God’s masterpieces. He created us and He delights in us. The salvation of Christ Jesus has washed away the blemishes on the canvas of our lives. All God sees when He surveys His creation is beauty. May we rejoice in the amazing truth that God’s love for us will never end.
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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.
Psalm 139:13-14- NIV
PRAYER
O Father God, we praise You for Your amazing love for us. It is a love beyond our imaginations. We cannot contemplate the vastness of that love, yet we are so exceedingly grateful for Your Grace. We are humbled that You see us as works of beauty, despite our flaws and imperfections, despite our sinful ways. We thank You for Jesus, who cleansed us of our sin and adorned us with robes of righteousness. We fall down in awe of Your marvelous love for us and we praise Your Holy Name.
Faith Beyond Sight 