You are God’s Masterpiece

Have you given any more thought to just what kind of vessel you are in the Lord? Perhaps that sounds silly to you, and that’s OK. You don’t have to know what kind you are, just that you are God’s vessel if you belong to Him. You were created for a specific purpose, and that is the reasoning behind each of us being a particular kind of vessel.

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 (NIV)

See, God had a plan for each of us before we even came into existence. We are His workmanship…one translation puts it this way, “we are His masterpiece.” Whatever gifts you have, whatever your personality, whatever your natural abilities, that is the way God designed you so He could use you to do those good works.

Don’t think that you have no gifts; that God can’t use you. Why would He create a useless work of art? And no, He didn’t create some of you just to look pretty. Look at some of the gifts the scriptures mention. Once again, we’re not all created to be a Billy Graham or Mother Teresa, but each of these gifts is needed in this world.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. (Romans 12:6-8 NLT)

That’s not an exhaustive lists of the gifts God has given us, but see how the gifts vary from prophesying to giving to showing kindness.

Essentially, Paul is saying whichever gifts you have, use them! Notice the adverbs that tell us how to use them; well, generously, seriously, gladly. Those adverbs will come easier if we teach, serve, give, or show kindness out of love and not duty.

I’ve had people tell me they didn’t know what their gifts were. Maybe some of our gifts become apparent through our circumstances. God gave me Rena, a very special needs child, and through the years I have come to realize that one of my purposes in life is to take care of her.

Sometimes we’re so busy searching for our purpose, we don’t see that we’re already fulfilling it. I know I used to beg God, use me, use me, when He already was. I was raising my own children, and caring for others.

I have thought about becoming some sort of volunteer, but that never has happened. I admire those who work for Habitat for Humanity, or who go on Mission trips. But I voluntarily babysit my great niece and nephew; I used to babysit my grandchildren. I believe this is what I’m supposed to be doing. Not saying I always do it perfectly well, though! I’m still working on that patience thing.

I’m also not saying that I’ve always used the gifts God has given me. I’ve had lots of good intentions, good ideas, and good opportunities that never came to fruition. And I can’t say that I’ve always cleaned up Rena’s messes out of love and not duty.

But however imperfect a vessel I am, God still sees me as His very own masterpiece. He still has a plan for me, that my life may glorify him, just as He has for you.

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

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