THE ARTIST

When we look at the painting, we see the Artist.

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

Have you ever looked at a painting and just thought, "Wow. Whoever did this is really talented,"? Or have you ever seen a piece of work and thought quite the opposite?

A painting reflects the work of an artist - his talent, his keen eye, his creativity, his ideas, his use of colour, tone, and style. We see the artist's uniqueness and detail used in every stroke, all on-purpose for a specific purpose. When the work is finished, it is not just slapped paint on a white canvas - it is a masterpiece full of meaning, full of the artist's touch and, in essence, full of the artist himself.

When we look at a painting, we don't see just the painting, we see the artist.

You and I are a painting in the making, and what's amazing is that our Artist is God Himself! Through Jesus, what was once a dirty canvas, we are now washed clean and we stand in Christ, in God, as a fresh white canvas ready for the Artist to create His masterpiece.

Can you imagine what a masterpiece God can make from a fresh canvas? Every stroke He does is on-purpose for a purpose, every colour He uses is to reflect His beauty, every style and shape is used to reflect His character, and as the painting goes on and on, over time, a masterpiece is created reflecting Jesus Christ - God Himself.

For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory. Colossians 3:3-4

Now that we know Who our Artist is, we are able to see the painting in a whole new light! We look at ourselves and see the hand of God - His workmanship - within us. Our eyes turn away from our own works, to Jesus who is doing the good works He planned for us long ago. Can you see the rest this brings? When we look to Jesus - we discover more and more Who God is - we see His glory, His beauty, His goodness, and His love. And once we see that, we can accept ourselves for who we are, His masterpiece.

Allow Him to show you your beauty. Allow Him to show you your purpose. Allow Him to show you your worth.

A painting is more than just paint. You are more than just your physical appearance. Your real life is hidden in Christ in God. Your heart is purified and healed, your sins are covered by the blood of Jesus, you are led by the Holy Spirit and not by your sinful nature, and you live by faith knowing Christ now lives in you (Gal 2:20). The more you surrender your life to Him - the less you control - the more He can work. There is so much joy found when you can let go of trying to do things your way and letting God do it His way. Leave the how in His hands and just obey the now He leads you in.

A masterpiece takes time to complete - to reach perfection - but that time of perfection comes when Christ returns and as we await His return, we are left with great hope that we can confidently and patiently wait for (Rom 8:23). The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness (Rom 8:26), in our weakness His power is made perfect and works through us (2 Cor 12:10), and we experience life and peace here on earth already in His Presence, living through Christ. You and I are not responsible for how the painting looks - God is - and as soon as we let go of striving to be better and do better, we can allow the work of the Holy Spirit through us. As a result, our lives become a testimony of the living God within us, without us having to force anything, by just remaining in Him and obeying His commandments. We can confidently walk in the love of Jesus and rest He gives, knowing that when people look at us, they see the workmanship of Christ. They see Him.

As His painting, we are signed off with His signature. We delight in His painting, as He delights in us. We can now simply be. There are no expectations or pressures on us, there is no need to prove our worth or goodness in duty and work, there is no striving to be better or hard work to be 'someone'. We simply rest in knowing God is in control, He has the 'how' in His hands, and He is painting us beautifully in His unique way. He reveals we are enough. He gives us our purpose. He unveils our beauty. He draws us closer to Him so we may dwell in His Presence and be satisfied eternally. Embrace the gifts He has given you, embrace in the beauty He has given you, embrace Him in every aspect of your life and you will learn to love the Artist and His other paintings as He has loved us.

Look to the Artist.

Father God, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Thank You for being the Artist by taking my life in Your hands and creating a masterpiece You delight in! I surrender all my desires, needs, weaknesses, and imperfections to You and thank You for making me beautiful out of all of them for Your glory. I ask that You reveal Your Word in my heart as I rest in You and allow Christ to fulfill the good works He planned for me long ago. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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