What a Masterpiece!

"What have you done today that only a Christian would do?" ~Corrie Ten Boom


Folding laundry, washing dishes, wiping the counter for the fortieth time....tying shoes, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and listening to a six-year old read a Clifford book do not sound like very noble activities. Yet Ephesians 2:10 teaches us

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

As my Bible study ladies and I have been meditating on that passage this week, I have pondered the good "deeds" I do as a wife and mother. Corrie Ten Boom's quote is a great reminder, but can be a stretch for me some days. Being a mother is a noble calling in itself, no doubt. But the daily, mundane tasks can certainly leave one feeling a bit forgotten...unimportant. Do you find yourself in the same shuffle...whether you are a mother, a wife, or an employee? Unfortunately we then tend to search for fulfillment elsewhere...TV, in another person, food, too much time on the computer...

Thankfully our Savior (who has not only chosen to save our souls but also our day!) has provided a remedy. He reminds us we are HIS workmanship. The original word used here is the Greek word "poima" which means masterpiece, poem and work of art. That means YOU! Those who are created in Christ Jesus as followers of the Lord Jesus, are a masterpiece of the Creator God.

But just as a priceless masterpiece hanging in a museum points to the creativity of its artist, you and I were created to point to our Creator's creativity through good works which He prepared for us even before we were born! He has a plan for HOW you and I are to display Him to others. The original word translated 'good' is the Greek word 'agathos' meaning benevolent, profitable, useful. Beginning in our own homes, familes and spheres of influence we are to serve with works that are benevolent, profitable and useful to those around us.

'Agathos' underscores the beneficial properties of something and represents something as being advantageous to another, promoting his welfare. Who are you and I promoting? Though we are continually reminded by this world and by our own selfish flesh to promote self...we are called to decrease as we cause Christ to increase. The choices we make each day...our attitude and our activities are to promote Christ alone.

As we fold clothes, wash dishes and read with a child we can promote Christ with joyfulness and thankfulness for His MANY blessings; we can serve our families without complaining and arguing. We can seek to promote Christ as He calls us to use our gifts in our spheres of influence without looking for applause and approval of man, but responding to a Father's call to promote His Son so the lost might be found and Christ might be glorified in all we do. THEN we will be living out those good works HE planned in advance for us to do and looking like true works of art!