I love art. They say a picture paints a thousand words, and I agree. We have art from around the world in our condo. Western cowboy prints from the famous Texas artist Robert Summers, an impressionist rendering of Montmartre by Maurice Utrilla, a beautiful vase from China (given to me by some believers to whom we distributed Bibles - I need to tell that story sometime!), celadon pottery from Korea, and paintings from Siem Reap, Cambodia, to name a few of our treasures.
My love of art was fanned into flame during the several years that I dated an artist in Atlanta. Marie’s grandparents came from Italy, and art was in her DNA. Her mother was an incredible artist, and I use to marvel as I watched their paintings take form over a period of months.
At first, all I could see were images, colors splashed on the canvas. But slowly, over time, what Marie or her mother was creating came to life for me. Of course, the artist saw the image all along. She knew exactly what the masterpiece she planned to paint would look like.
This Sunday at Embrace Church, I will begin a sermon series from my book, “Masterpiece in the Making: Life Lessons for Spiritual Growth.” I will also begin leading Spiritual Growth Groups, at the church and in homes, based on reflection questions found in my book. I’m hoping we can have these weekly questions posted. Maybe you and some friends would care to follow along with us.
The idea for this book comes from the words of Ephesians 2:10, which says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (ESV)
The word translated “workmanship” is the Greek word “poiema.” We get our English word, poem, from this word. The word itself refers to artistic creation. It is used only one other time in the New Testament. Check it out -
For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. (Romans 1:20, AMP)
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands,” God is the Divine Artist, and not only is His handiwork seen in nature, it is seen also in the lives of you and me, His crowning creative achievement. “It is very good,” said God after creating Adam and Eve in His image.
When we answer the call of Jesus to “follow me,” we begin a lifelong journey and process of becoming God’s workmanship, God’s masterpieces in the making. But in order to become the masterpieces God is seeking to make us into, we must commit ourselves to the process.
I love the story of Michelangelo when, as a young man, he sought to become the apprentice of a Master Stone Cutter. As this eager young artist stood before him, the master said to him, “This will take a lifetime, you know.” And without a moment’s hesitation, Michelangelo answered, “Yes, I know, but what else is life for”?
What else is life for? As followers of Jesus, this is the attitude of commitment we need to become the masterpieces God is seeking to make of our lives.
Life can be hard. All of us will experience days when the canvas of our lives is filled with dark and somber colors. But even those dark and gloomy colors are used by the Divine Artist to make of our lives the masterpiece He sees us becoming.
Let me change the image to that of the Divine Sculptor. God, like a master stone cutter, is chipping away at the faithlessness, pride, worldly ambition, and flesh that stands in the way of becoming who He is calling us to be through His Son, Jesus.
Whatever the image, canvas, or stone, the bottom line is this - Will we trust God to make us into the men and women He is calling us to be?
Messages begin this Sunday. As I’ve said before, it’s better not to watch them live. The feed is not good. But after each recording is posted, you can see the video without distractions. I hope you’ll join me. The link to the book and the weekly messages is posted below.
In Christ,
Dan
Here’s the link to “Masterpiece in the Making.”
You can listen to my weekly messages at Embrace Church, High Point.
I still remember this series from our time at SIBC in Korea. The Highpoint folks are in for a treat! Semper Fidelis