A Glorious Perspective

 

 

Everybody born comes from the Creator trailing wisps of glory. We come from the Creator with creativity. I think that each one of us is born with creativity.

Maya Angelou

 

What a powerful statement and observation from Maya Angelou!

Well, here’s another, which I declare today with faith and in boldness.

I am God’s masterpiece!

This fact makes me special in his eyes.

Now who creates something of beauty, purpose or worth and then doesn’t feel proud of their achievement? Who utilises their gift, their creative ability and then doesn’t feel any satisfaction about what they’ve created?

No one!  Unless you are a mega-obsessive perfectionist. Which is certainly not me!  How about you?

 

The Eye of My Beholder

Well, God is no different. I have the book of Genesis to verify that. Whenever God created anything, he declared that it was good. Very good. He was pleased with his efforts. So I have a pretty good idea that since God is the one who created me, then he was (and still is) pleased with his creative masterpiece. And His pronouncement over me—that I am good, i.e. fit for purpose, beneficial and worthy—still stands.

Dear reader, aren’t we the same?

Don’t we feel a sense of pride and satisfaction whenever we have created something? I know I do. When I’ve written an article, short story or blog post, when I’ve made an outfit, or some item of home furnishing, when I’ve cooked a delicious meal or baked a moist, moreish cake – I’m usually pleased with the result. Mega-pleased! And this is particularly so when I create something using my God-given abilities.

 

Seeing Self from God’s Perspective

Let me reiterate.

I am God’s masterpiece!

The King James’ Bible puts it this way:

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

(Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)

The Greek word for “workmanship” is poiema. We are therefore God’s poem or poetic masterpiece.

Isn’t that precious?

I wonder what difference it would make to our self-esteem, to the way we live our lives, if we were to truly embrace this concept and see ourselves as valuable works of art?

Now unlike the owners of priceless art collections, God doesn’t hide us away. He’s not afraid to show us off, to share us with others. In fact, as the above scripture clearly reveals, he has created us for good works, so we can be of benefit and a blessing to others.

So the question is: are we living up to his expectations?

I am his poem. In his sight, I am perfect. Beautiful. A wonderful creation. And I bring him pleasure. Furthermore, I have the capacity to bring him more pleasure when I glorify him.

 

A Glorious Perspective

To glorify God is to showcase his splendour, majesty and might. And I glorify him when I live up to his expectations. I glorify him when I create and when I share my creative ability with others. I glorify him when I recognise and act as the person whom he created and called me to be—a dynamic believer, an obedient child of God, a committed disciple of Christ, a purpose-driven achiever and a victorious overcomer.

Dear reader, cast your mind back and reflect on your experiences to date. Haven’t you enjoyed and taken pleasure in different aspects of God’s creation—the beauty of various landscapes, the abundance of this world’s marvellous fauna and flora, the magic and wonder of the universe and the awe-inspiring features of our creator’s glorious handiwork, such as volcanic mountains or magnificent waterfalls?

And haven’t you appreciated and taken similar pleasure in the creativity of others—such as a beautifully sung song, such as a gorgeously fashioned item of clothing, such as well-written books, created for pleasure, for education, for personal development?

I am God’s creative masterpiece.

As I reflect upon this wonderful truth, I realise that I’ve robbed people by failing to write in the past.

Just think! If I’d been diligent, discerning and disciplined enough in years gone by, if I’d written faithfully over the past decades or so, if I’d consistently written books and articles and teaching materials, many people could be benefitting from those works today.

But I didn’t.

And so, I robbed not only myself of the pleasure of creation and the satisfaction of serving others but I robbed God of opportunities to showcase his glory. And I robbed people of the pleasure and benefit they could have enjoyed and experienced had I developed my potential, had I indulged and explored my creativity, had I shared my gifting.

Wow! What an eye opener.

I am truly sorry God.

And my recent epiphany, this startling revelation, makes me even more determined to do better in the future—to acquire the necessary discipline and be diligent in seeking to maximise my potential. It makes me even more desirous to live my best life. To serve others. To glorify God.

 

Re-affirming Your Worth

I say it again with absolute conviction. With awe. With wonder. With a new sense of responsibility.

I am God’s poetic masterpiece.

I am valuable. I have the capacity to bring pleasure to others. To share of that which God has invested within me, in order to encourage, educate and equip. In order to make diminutive, ravaged or unfulfilled lives bigger, better, richer.

Dear reader, you too are God’s creative masterpiece. You too have been created to bring him glory. Is that your aim and desire in life? Are you seeking to be the best YOU, you can possibly be? Are you seeking to develop and grow, to avail yourself of God’s spiritual resources, so you can arise and shine and radiate the glory of God?

Have you determined in your heart to reign over your circumstances, to walk victoriously in life, to enjoy your status as God’s creative masterpiece?

All around us we see, experience and enjoy the fruit of our Father-God’s creative endeavours. Can we look at our own lives and say the same about ourselves?

Are we creating an atmosphere of joy, peace and harmony in our homes? Are we creating the beauty of unity in our relationships, work situations and church fellowships? Are we using our abilities, knowledge, skills and talent for the betterment of others? And if, or when we are, are we seeking self-glory or God’s glory?

 

Life’s daily challenge

My dear followers and visitors, today and every day, we are given a fresh opportunity to use the creative power of God’s Word to transform ourselves, our lives and the environment within our own sphere of influence… to call forth light, abundance and fruitfulness… to sow seeds of blessing… to minister to the pressing needs of our fellow-human beings.

The challenge is, are we seeing from God’s perspective? Do we care enough to act, to create, to exercise dominion, to reproduce, to showcase his glory?

There are only two people who know the answers to these searching questions—you dear reader, and God!

 

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CREDIT: The above CCO image comes courtesy of Pixabay.com

 

 

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