Heaven’s Handiwork

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, VOICE)

 

Though I seldom feel like a masterpiece, I know that I am clay in the Potter’s hands. I am His, and He is continually etching heaven’s poetry on my heart and in my life. Watching my children grow into young men, has been the greatest reminder of my charge to do the good that God prepared for me in advance. In spite of my flaws and failures, God has grown my boys into kind, thoughtful, intelligent, loving, handsome young men, with hearts that are set on loving people well. Each one is a masterpiece that I have been blessed to witness in the works. The beautiful thing for all of us, is that we are His handiwork that is continually being crafted and honed, until the day we meet Him face-to-face. We do not have to be in “final form” to be effective in doing the good work that He calls us to do; rather as we do each next thing, our hearts are further shaped to mirror His. May we delight in the hands that hold and shape us into our best selves as we seek Him, and ever pursue opportunities to carry out good works to which we are called.

The masterpiece that is my mom, was excited to view the sneak peek photos from my boys’ senior photo shoot. For those who know mom, it is clear that pictures are a priority for her, as she has family photos hung throughout her home, with an enormous shelf at the end of the hallway, full of photo albums. Christmas gifts for mom this year will be a bit easier to choose. 😉 We kept missing one another with phone calls, but thankfully, the text full of photos made the needed connection yesterday.

 

For we each are called,

God’s own work of art;

Made with a purpose,

He’s known from the start.

When God looks at us,

He calls His work good;

The Lord’s masterpiece,

Purposed livelihood.

Heaven’s poetry,

Etched upon each heart;

How can we argue,

Or question His art?

Rise up in wonder,

In awe, choose embrace;

The call to do good,

Love others with grace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have created each of us with purpose to do good works as Your intentionally and purposefully handcrafted works of art. Thank You that we are constantly being refined so that we may more clearly reflect heaven’s poetry through how we live our lives. Forgive us for questioning Your handiwork or for neglecting to do the good that You created us to do. Teach us to trust Your hands and Your leading, as You provide all that we need to do whatever it is that is asked of us. Show us how to love those around us best, so that they may understand the work of art that they truly are. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the plans and purpose that You have for each of us, and for the intentional art that You have created each of us to become as we move forward according to Your calling. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. – Psalm 33:11

Made With Purpose

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, NLT) 

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things He had already planned for us to do. – (Ephesians 2:10, ERV) 

For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, VOICE) 

 

This is an incredible thought. WE – you, me, and everyone we see – have been created with purpose for good! When we seek Him, He makes us new and through Jesus and equips us to accomplish the good things that He has planned for us already. It is easy to get frustrated when we do not accomplish that which we think we ought to, but God, in His goodness and grace, wants us to faithfully seek His face. As we do, and continue to move forward in that which He has called us, we are completing the things He has planned for good. The timeline is His, not ours, and we have to trust that He will accomplish the good He intends through our faithful pursuit of Him as we walk out our days. May we ever seek the Savior who considers us His masterpiece, who has a plan and purpose for each of our lives. 

 

God’s own masterpiece, 

We’re each works of art; 

Made with true purpose, 

From finish to start. 

He long ago planned, 

The good meant for us; 

And brings it to pass, 

Through His Son, Jesus. 

May we each pursue, 

His glory and grace; 

Walk in His purpose, 

As we seek His face. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have created each of us with purpose as Your own work of art. Thank You that as we pursue You, You direct and equip us to walk out Your plan for good. Forgive us for doubting our worth or ability to contribute. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would fearlessly and faithfully walk in the direction to which You have called. Show us how to love those around us in a way that supports and encourages each to move in the direction and purpose for which they are created. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You daily, and continue to move forward in the direction which we have been called. Amen. 

 

© Shannon Elizabeth (Moreno) Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Made for Good

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do good things He planned for us long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things He has already planned for us to do. – (Ephesians 2:10, ERV)

 

To watch God’s masterpieces in action is such a great joy to behold. When I observe those whom I know and care for deeply doing the very things that they were created to do, I cannot help but be filled with joy. The last two weeks have been a whirlwind, as I prepared my boys for camp and myself for Belize, traveled to Belize for a week of medical mission work, returned to do laundry and pack myself for the birthday adventure extravaganza for my love, and the boys for their Sea Scouts long cruise. As I sit in a rental home near Red Rock, NV, with the sun shining on the aqua water in the pool outside, I am overwhelmed by the good that I have both witnessed and experienced as those around me have lived and loved as they were created to do. Brand new blessings were poured out in Belize, as my dear friends were faithful to follow where God had led them, and I had the pleasure to join them and see how God had prepared and gone before us. Camp was wonderful for my boys, as they branched out and made new friends, despite their trepidation at not having their best friends along. Now, here in Nevada, some of our dearest friends have joined together to celebrate my Viking, and love so well. He has been overwhelmed by the blessings, and I don’t think I have stopped smiling since we arrived. God is so good, and when we walk forward as who He has created us to be, the things He does are beyond what we could hope or imagine. May we ever pursue our Creator the good that He has hand-crafted us to accomplish.

 

We’re all created, 

Hand-crafted by God;

Made new with purpose,

With a path to trod.

Created for good,

That’s how we’re designed;

Be true to ourselves,

Let our hearts align.

Rise up with courage,

Go forth in His might;

He has good in store,

Love well and do right.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are Your masterpiece. Thank You that what You can accomplish in and through us, is not dependent on how we feel. Thank You that when we are willing to go where You call, and do as You ask, good things are accomplished by Your grace. Forgive us for not recognizing the intent with which You made each one of us. Teach us to value those around us and ourselves, as You reveal to us, the masterpiece in us all. Show us how to love those around us in such a way, that they feel valued and celebrated for who You have created them to be. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You and praise You for making us new in You so that we can do good things. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us. – Psalm 67:1

Not Defined by a Day

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, VOICE)

 

This is a very timely reminder for me. Yesterday, I felt nothing like a masterpiece nor product of heaven’s poetry, as something I had planned, prepared, and was invested in, fell flat when I needed it to go well. It is extra frustrating when the very thing that we have invested our time, energy and heart into, is well-received in some spaces, then not in another. What I have to remember is that one day does not define who He has called me to be, nor what He has called me to do. As the daughter of the King, I need to pick up my crown, dust it off, and stand tall, trusting that each new day is an opportunity to accomplish the good works that He has prepared for me. We are the product of His hands. He anoints us to accomplish good things. God gifts each of us to carry out the call that He has placed on our lives. Yes, there will be days that are not so poetic, but God is still seated on the throne. He makes us new, and equips us to do each and every next thing. May we rise up and remember to whom we belong, and trust Christ to help us learn from the less-than-fabulous days, and to forge forward in faith for all that lies ahead.

 

We are created,

God’s own masterpiece;

Made to do good things,

His love shall not cease.

We’re made new in Christ,

So we can go out;

Embrace what He gives,

And follow His route.

Even on bad days,

Christ shall remain near;

He picks us back up,

And makes His love clear.

Rise up dearly loved,

Remember your name;

You’re called masterpiece,

Our great God proclaims.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are Your masterpiece, even when we feel like nothing of the sort. Thank You that in Christ, we are made new, and have been created to do good things. Thank You that Your poetry is etched on our lives, even when we cannot see it. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations when things do not go according to our hopes or plans. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would embrace the opportunity to learn lessons from the lows, and celebrate that which You accomplish through us. Show us how to love those around us in a way that helps each individual we encounter feel valued and known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the new creation that You have made us to be, and go forth to do the good that You call us to do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Father, I thank You that You have heard me. – John 11:41

Doing As We Were Designed to Do

For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do good things He planned for us long ago. – (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

 

Every one of us has been intentionally designed. Our strengths, our dreams, our attributes, our personality and our determination are all part of the masterpiece constructed by our Maker. Even more, when we submit our lives to Christ, we are made new in Him. All of the weathering and damage that we have done to the Lord’s artwork up to that point, is wiped away – we are made new. As we choose to embrace this space of being a new creation, we are able in Him, to go forth and do the things that He designed us to do, before we had life and breath. May we rise up and go forth in the plans and purposes that we were designed to do, as we embrace His grace that has made us wonderfully new.

 

Before we were born,

We all were designed;

Planned with a purpose,

God’s goodness aligned.

Then there comes a day,

When we have to choose;

To receive the Lord,

So we are made new.

All of the wreckage,

The scars and the dirt;

The Lord wipes away,

And shows us our worth.

There is no measure,

But rather a call;

To love as He loves,

Great purpose for all.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are Your masterpiece – each and every one of us. Thank You that we are created anew in Christ when we choose to follow You. Thank You that as we are invested in You, You equip us to go forth and do the good that we were designed to do. Forgive us for our lack of gratitude for our lives and how You so specifically designed each of us. Teach us to have grateful hearts for the new that we have in You, and for Your strength and capacity to do what You designed us to do. Show us how to walk out our purpose, daily. Lead us to love others as You so lavishly love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to serve and honor You as we were designed to do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13