The word of God never ceases to amaze me. Here I was this morning, reading a very familiar passage in Ephesians, when a word leaped off the page.
In Eph. 2:20 Paul says "We are his workmanship." "Workmanship" is poiēma in Greek. I love this word! It refers to "something that is made." But it's often used to describe a thing of beauty and perfection. Hence the ISV's, "We are his masterpiece."
Our word "poem" is related to the Greek word. A good poem typically features flow, symmetry, order, balance, strong imagery, emotional depth, imagination, and a sense of mystery. You and I are created for nothing less. The Lord wants to shape us into the beautiful masterpieces he intends for us to be. He sees the potential even when we don't. He wants to move us to a place where we can look back at our lives -- body, soul, and spirit -- with amazement. This "new perspective" if you will enables us to produce the good works he has planned for us to do.
Friend,
You are God's poiēma.
You are God's magnum opus (Latin for "great work").
You are God's chef-d'oeuvre (French for "master of work").
You are the result of God's outstanding creativity.
Yes, YOU.
You are The Mona Lisa, The Stormy Night, The Creation of Adam, American Gothic, The Last Supper, Washington Crossing the Delaware. The difference is you're not the product of Monet or Picasso or Degas or da Vinci or Cezanne or Rembrandt or van Gogh but of God himself. Your masterpiece state is settled, your status secure. It's part of your inheritance in Christ.
Enjoy!