My five-year-old granddaughter sat contented, working intently on the art project in front of her. Crayon in hand, she colored furiously before discarding one shade for another, coloring over the hue she’d chosen before. The smile on her face told me she was pleased with her work.
“What are you making?” my friend asked her.
To an adult eye, the picture looked like nothing more than some multi-colored scribbles (modern art, maybe?) so it was hard to tell what her creation was meant to be.
She continued to color and didn’t miss a beat before responding.
“Aunt Ashton told me, ‘There are no mistakes in art.’”
Then, as intently as before, she continued to refine her work.
What does this anecdote have to do with you? Or your daughters and granddaughters, sons and grandsons?
Simply this: “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)
The New Living Translation says we are God’s “masterpiece” and the NIV version says we are God’s “handiwork.” Strong’s Lexicon says, “The term “poiéma” (translated as workmanship or handiwork) refers to something that has been made or created, emphasizing the craftsmanship or artistry involved in its creation.”
God sat down, picked up his “crayons,” and created you.
We women are notoriously hard on ourselves (and sometimes we’re hard on others, too). We have a tough time seeing the beauty in who we are. We measure ourselves against each other, and the mythical social media images of the perfect woman/wife/mom/boss lady.
When we focus on what’s wrong with us (and I’m not talking about admitting our sin and weakness here, but rather an unhealthy focus on our imperfections) we miss the right works God intended for us.
God. Created. You.
Not only did God create you—that’s merely the beginning–God created you for a purpose, the good works He prepared in advance (before you were even born!!) for you to do
Your life has a purpose. You are not an accident. You are not worthless, despite what anyone else thinks or says (or what you think of yourself).
Not everyone will understand your design, or your purpose, or your works.
And that’s OK.
Don’t let the opinions of others stop you from doing what God created you to do.
You are God’s workmanship. You are God’s masterpiece. You are God’s handiwork.
There are no mistakes in art.
This is truth. God says so. Speak it over yourself. Speak it over your child. Speak it over your spouse. Speak it over your friends.
You are loved,
Donna
This Month on the That’s Just What I Needed Podcast:
- Why We Need Women Role Models Who Inspire with Both Strength and Love with Wendy Beylik
- Breaking Chains of Family Dysfunction: How God Brings Healing and Hope with Jimelle Carlson
- A Doctor’s Advice for Your Best Health in Your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and Beyond with Dr. Mikayla Albertson
- The REAL Truth About Being a Pastor’s Wife with Jessica Taylor, Jenna Allen, and Stephanie Gilbert
- Red Flags: How to Biblically Navigate Unhealthy Relationships
You can find the That’s Just What I Needed Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify podcasts, or listen on my website here.
PS. Easter is just around the corner and that means it’s a great time to pick up your copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God for yourself, or for someone who’s just beginning their spiritual journey.
