GOD’S MASTERPIECE

Created for Purpose

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  Ephesian. 2:10

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What is one question you often ask God? Is it, “God do you have a plan for me?”

Each of our lives is a beautiful piece of artwork. Unknown to us, God has been painting our canvas, long before we were even born. Psalm 139:14 tells us “we were created and fearfully, wonderfully knitted together even before we were conceived.”  

He has a plan and purpose for all of us. Often people separate who God is from what He does. It is the same! It is seamless. For example:  When we say “God is our creator”.  We are saying He is God and He is our Master Artist. We can’t separate one from the other.

He is God the Creator:  Of all the things He created, we are His masterpieces. He chose us as His signature artwork!. We belong to Him and He is our God.  (refer to Ephesians 2:10a above)

He created us for a purpose:  First we have to accept and learn God is our loving eternal Father, who loved us so much that he sent His son to die on our behalf, for our sins, and was raised from the dead on the third day in order that we might have life, eternal life. (Easter made alive) He then wants us to live for Him because He has a plan and purpose for our life. (refer to Ephesians 2:10b above)  

In other words, God first desires our love and we can demonstrate that love through walking in obedience and following His purpose for our lives. We can love God because He first loved us. In response to walking in obedience, God then reveals who we truly are and what His plan and purpose is for us.  As we walk this journey God promises to be with us.

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(One of God’s Museum of People)

After my first year of college, I expected to have a long and boring summer merely working. Little did I know what God was up to!

Halfway through the summer my brother gave up his spot on the youth group’s mission trip to Mexico so that I could go instead. I had never been out of the country. I was excited but fearful. Consequently, I doubted God’s plan for me. Yeah! But….am I really sure I want to go? Why would they even want me? What could I do?” I thought.

How about you?  When asked to do something different, the unknown, what ideas go through your head?  

I was assigned the roles of assistant leader to the high school group and assistant cook. I wasn’t even sure what those roles would entail! 

The doubts crept in: “I am not a high schooler any longer.  I am not a leader, only the assistant leader! Assistant Cook?  What does that mean?”  I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I decided to go anyway.

 No one told me about Culture Shock (when one culture meets another and you go into shock because of the extreme differences).  Talk about coming out of one’s comfort zone.  

Oh boy! I cannot roll my R’s in spanish either like the young people.” I didn’t feel I was doing anything right. But the leader still wanted me even if I didn’t live up to the expectations that I thought I needed in order to do the job well. “Was this going to be a candidate doomed for disaster?” I wondered.  “God what are you up to?” I asked Him.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. (Eph. 3:20)

Our guide was Jamie, (pronounced Hymie), a Mexican young man who attended our church and whose parents (missionaries) were able to host us in Mexico. .. Jamie worked with me until I could say my whole testimony in Spanish, but I still couldn’t roll my “R’s”. But he appreciated the effort I was putting into it.  

One day I was so lonely and confused because I didn’t know know where I fit in and why I was there.  I cried out to God and at that very moment Jamie took pity on me and brought me a dozen roses.20151012154424229_0001

They ministered to me so much, in my state of loneliness, that I felt God Himself  brought them.  I understood a deeper measure of God’s love for me. He met me where I was. He didn’t leave me when I needed Him most. In response I cried out, God, I now know why I am here…, for YOU!”  

Jose, (pronounced Hosay), a young beggar boy, about eleven years old,would come up to our group daily and make himself known. However, we would just brush Jose off.

So one particular day, I decided to give him my testimony in Spanish and asked him if he wanted to know about Jesus. He said, “yes!”or “si” rather. I didn’t know what to do. All I knew in Spanish now was my testimony. So I ran and got Jamie. Jamie and I led him to know Jesus as his personal Savior! After that, our group bought Jose clothes. Additionally, they connected him with a local church, where they took Jose in and found him a permanent home to live.   

Seeing what just happened, I was so blessed that I told the Lord:20151012154512815_0001

If I could have a part in bringing another little one like this (pointing to Jose, the one in the picture) to YOU, Lord, I would be willing to go anywhere in the world for YOU.” A seed of missions and proclaiming God’s name among the nations was planted!

When God allowed me to take part in leading Jose to the Lord it made me feel loved because God trusted me enough to team up with Him to do something that was the very core and center of His heart: drawing people to Himself!

 Jamie modeled the character qualities of the kind of man I wanted to marry.  He loved the Lord, was willing to go anywhere in the world for Him, was a soul winner, a leader, a kind person and much more.

I sensed God like I never had before. He was turning my loneliness into something I never dreamed of. However, Jamie was young, and I was ready for a deeper relationship while he wasn’t. We departed as friends but I never forgot what God did in my heart through that missions trip, with Jose, Jaime and the church group.  

God was molding me and creating me into something more beautiful than I could ever have dreamed for myself. God loved me enough to meet me where I was. God had created me for something bigger than myself. The canvas was coming alive.  

God loves you and has a plan for you too. Sometimes you just have to take a risk and say yes to God, to something bigger than yourself. It is not always easy but it is during those times that God will reveal a piece of His heart and you will start to see your canvas come into living color.

For me, it was a willingness to go anywhere in the world for the Lord. If I had not taken that trip to Mexico, I would have never discovered who I was in light of who God is and what He could do through me in spite of myself.    

Personal Reflections:  Have you discovered God’s plan for you?  What are some things God has shown you about Himself as the Master Artist?  What has He shown you about yourself?  What steps are you taking to see His heart for your canvas? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and do something for Him? Tell us one story in the comment section of the blog.   

From one woman pilgrim to another, journeying together,  

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Consider how you may spur one another on towards love and good deeds….. encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

“Together empowering a movement of mission minded women on their journey and calling, so that they may feel valued, significant, purposeful, and confident in making a difference for God’s Kingdom in all season’s of life, one story at a time.”

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