You are His Masterpiece

When I say the word, “masterpiece” … what comes to your mind?

Perhaps you think of the great artist Rembrandt … or the composer Chopin …  or maybe you remember Charles Dickens, the classic author.

I have often wondered, “Where do you stand in line to be considered as a person whose life is capable of producing a masterpiece for God?”

Can you even imagine if you had been the person whom God chose to write a timeless song that echoes through the ages? Can you even conceive of the incredible possibility that God would use you to compose a song such as “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” … “We Shall Behold Him” … “The Hallelujah Chorus” … “How Great Thou Art” … “Amazing Grace” … “No Longer Slaves” or “Joy To the World!”

Is it a dream of yours to write a noble book that touches a generation for Christ and His Kingdom? Do you dream of writing a book such as “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” … “The Purpose Driven Life” … “Lord of the Rings” … or “Pilgrim’s Progress”.

Why did God choose Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel?  What did God see in da Vinci that gave him the credentials to recreate “The Last Supper” on a monastery wall?

Why were George Beverly Shea … David Phelps … Sandi Patti … Josh Groban …  Celine Dion … Barbara Streisand … Julie Andrews given voices of epic strength and range? Although not all of these gifted vocalists have used their talents for the glory of God, certainly their gifting was from God.

“All good and perfect gifts are from above.” – James 1:17

Let me assure you that not all masterpieces can be categorized as works of art, pieces of music or volumes of literature.

Some masterpieces are political movements … some are battles against evil … some are discoveries or inventions … while some of the greatest masterpieces in all of human history are simple but profound acts of service.

I think of William Wilberforce who fought against the slave trade in the British Empire and Abraham Lincoln who signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

I ponder the life of Mother Teresa who served the destitute, lepers, victims of tuberculosis and AIDS.

I wonder about Clara Barton who served as a hospital nurse in the Civil War and then founded the American Red Cross or Florence Nightingale who worked tirelessly night after night while tending to the wounded soldiers of the Crimean War.

Certainly their impact on society and on culture can be considered a masterpiece of service, of kindness, and of selfless living.

And what about inventions and discoveries?!  Why did God choose Thomas Edison to invent the phonograph, the motion picture camera and the electrical light bulb?!

Why did God choose George Washington Carver to discover over 100 uses for the peanut … Jonas Salk to develop the polio vaccine … and Benjamin Franklin to discover electricity?

But let me ask again …”Where is the line?!”

“Where do you stand in line to be considered as a person whose life is capable of producing a masterpiece for God?”

Certainly God is desperate for an ordinary man or a common woman who is willing to give every ounce of sweat, time and talent to His purposes and to His causes.  Isn’t God looking for someone who will say in this generation, “Here am I Lord … send me!”?

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” – II Chronicles 16:9

But how do you get chosen by the Creator of the universe to partner with Him in a cause so eternal that it lives beyond the dash on one’s tombstone?

I want to be that person, do you?!  Do you long for God to use you beyond your wildest dreams … your human abilities … and your academic limitations?

Does your heart literally pound out of your chest as you ponder the possibility that maybe God has something more for you than you are currently experiencing?

It’s not that I want to be “the next” anybody.  I don’t want to be the next “Joyce Meyer” … the next “Beth Moore” … or the next “Ruth Bell Graham”.  I just want to be the only me!

“For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works and my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance and in Your book were all written

the days that were ordained for me when we yet there was not one of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!” – Psalm 139:13 - 17

My heart aches to do something extraordinary for the Kingdom of God at my moment in history.  I have this urge that won’t be quiet … this persistent pull that never relents … this unseen purpose that keeps knocking on the door of my heart.

I’m standing in that line … jumping up and down … wildly waving my hands in the air to capture God’s attention.

I am kneeling in that line … quietly waiting … patiently trusting … asking my Father to use an ordinary girl like me for His Kingdom and for His purposes.

I am worshipping in that line … keeping my eyes on the Lord … readying myself to hear His voice and to respond without a moment of hesitation.

What has God called you to do?  What dream has the God of creation placed in your soul?

Do you have an idea that only God could have given to you? 

You, my friend, are God’s greatest masterpiece of creation so stand in the line … kneel in the line … worship in the line!  God needs you and your life at this moment in history. The God Who created you as His most extraordinary masterpiece stands ready to make a masterpiece through your life!

Thanks for listening to my heart this week.  As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me.  And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!