God's Masterpiece

The other day my husband and I dropped our two oldest children off at their college to begin their freshman and sophomore years. We are grateful that God rearranged some things in the universe, and they are now attending the same school.

We listened to one of the speakers at the matriculation service speak about Ephesians 2:10 and how each of our children is God’s masterpiece. Each one has been “set apart.” To be set apart means to make someone or something different and special. He also talked about how the next four years will be their training ground as they prepare for their chosen career.

I looked at my son and remembered that almost five years ago we weren’t sure if he would make it through the night, much less walk and talk. . . and today, he is attending college. I looked at my daughter and thought about how brave she was to stand up against racism, leaving a school and friends she loved so very much, to attend another in a town she never wanted to be in.

Two masterpieces, set apart.

I thought about all of us grown people too. Not all of us have children attending college, and not all of us have attended college, but make no mistake… Each day God is training and preparing us for our purpose. Every experience in life teaches us something for the next thing. The encounter you have with that rude person at Target is your training ground. Through your response, you can choose to represent a higher calling, or you can sink to the depths of the evil one. The loss you’ve experienced is building you up to lead another through treacherous times. People will count on you to guide them down a road you’ve already walked. Cheering for and supporting that person, regardless of the jealousy you have felt, will prepare you to take on your own success later, when God calls you to it.

Each experience is unique to you. You have been set apart. God made you on purpose with a purpose.

There is no one like you. God knows your name and has called you His masterpiece. Another word for masterpiece is “triumph.” You are God’s triumph! How beautiful is that? It doesn’t matter what you think or feel about yourself, you are something special and set apart for God. He created you perfect in His eyes. Even if you have a hard time believing that, you must believe your Creator. He doesn’t lie.

Try something today. Look at yourself in the mirror and say “MASTERPIECE” until you believe it. Then go out and live as such.

“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 he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10