God's Works of Art

Season 2 Episode 49 -- What do you think about when you are admiring beautiful outdoor scenery?  I think about how creation is a giant display of God's works of art.  In this episode, I share an "ah-ha" moment I had recently about God's supreme work of art:  the human being.  And I share a great word picture given to us in a poem by Corrie ten Boom.  Listen and get the full scoop!

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life, in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

 Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free (and low-cost) resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and devotionals.  It allows you to simultaneously view verses and their corresponding cross-references, lexicon entries, commentaries, and more.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all

Transcript

I enjoy going to places with lovely outdoor scenery, and spending time marveling at the beauty, creativity, and variety on display.  Being in these places and viewing God’s handiwork has become increasingly more meaningful to me.  Why?  Because I am increasingly viewing all of creation as God’s works of art.  

Yet there is one of God’s works of art that stands supreme:  the human being.

As we know, in the Genesis account, at the end of each of the first 5 days of creation, it is recorded in chapter 1 that “God saw that it was good.”  It was only at the end of the 6th day of creation, after creating humans, that Genesis records that “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31).  

I recently studied and reflected upon a verse from Paul’s letter to the believers at Ephesus, and I got a better understanding of this concept:

Ephesians 2:10 NASB  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

The Greek word translated as workmanship is poiema (POY-ay-mah), which means a fabric, something that has been made, a creative masterpiece.  Wow!  What a rich word!  And it is describing us!  That is why various Bible translations render it as workmanship, handiwork, creation, masterpiece,  and creative work.  Notice how this Greek work looks and sounds similar to our word “poem,” which led The Passion Translation to render this verse as “We have become His poetry.”

Wow!  We are God’s masterfully created workmanship!  We are His carefully crafted tapestry, His exquisitely worded poetry, His beautiful handiwork!  God labored over us to reproduce in us a glimpse of His nature, so that we would have the desire and ability to do the good works that He prepared for us to do.  These good works are intended to serve others, and to be a reflection of His nature, so that others will be drawn to God.  We are God’s ultimate work of art! 

Corrie ten Boom, in her poem entitled “Life is but a Weaving,” uses a tapestry as a word picture of this concept:

My life is but a weaving

Between my God and me.

I cannot choose the colors

He weaveth steadily.

Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;

And I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper

And I the underside.

Not ’til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas

And reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

In the weaver’s skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned

This is a helpful word picture.  The underside of a tapestry often looks messy and disorganized, with threads in a haphazard pattern that show little resemblance to the beautiful pattern on the top side of the tapestry.  Similarly, we often live our lives, seeing for the most part only the underside of the tapestry of our life.  We may sometimes think, “God, what are You doing in my life?  From my vantage point, all I see are random threads.  I don’t see Your handiwork in my life.”  Sometimes, in God’s mercy, He will give us a momentary glimpse of the top side of the tapestry, revealing the marvelous work of art that He is fashioning.  If you have ever gotten one of those momentary glimpses, you know how encouraging it is.

Let me repeat the key thought for today, rewording it to describe you:

You are God’s masterfully created workmanship!  You are His carefully crafted tapestry, His exquisitely worded poetry, His beautiful handiwork!  God labored over you to reproduce in you a glimpse of His nature, so that you would have the desire and ability to do the good works that He prepared for you to do.  These good works are intended to serve others, and to be a reflection of His nature, so that others will be drawn to God.  You are God’s ultimate work of art! 

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”