For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)

When I was a teenager, I loved to sit outside at night in a lounge chair and look at the stars. I would bring my dog, Dinky with me (by the way, he was a German Shepherd, so the name was supposed to be ironic), and we would sit out in the night for hours on end. When I got lucky and hit a meteor shower, I wouldn’t go inside no matter how hard my mom tried, so she would bring me a blanket and pillow, and Dinky and I would spend the night counting shooting stars.

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I would marvel at God’s work. How did he place so many stars in the sky? How did he shower us with such beauty? While I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus at the time, I was still in awe of the wonder of God and his creation.

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So, to discover that I am God’s workmanship...well now, that puts a whole new spin on things.

Have you ever seen an artist in the middle of creating one of their masterpieces? There’s such focus and intention — like they and their creation are the only things in existence. Sometimes you might see them undo and then redo. You might see them trash the whole thing in utter frustration because it’s just not quite right. But oh, when they are finished, and it’s exactly what they were aiming for — the delight and joy are so evident.

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That’s what I am — what YOU are to God. You are his masterpiece. You were made exactly how he wanted you, and, oh by the way, since he is the perfect Creator of all the universe, he doesn’t have to undo and redo. He will never trash you and start over — he made you perfectly perfect the first time around and you are exactly what he wanted. He delights in you. He finds joy in you. Psalm 149:4 says, “For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation” (ESV).

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You see, in Christ, we were created for a purpose. This world distorts and twists our purpose and our creation. It says that we are the masters of ourselves and that we should do whatever makes us happy. But what if the purpose that I was uniquely created for had nothing to do with me? What if I was created for the purpose of others? What if I was created to show God’s glory and love to those around me? My purpose is for the God who created me and delights in me.

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The God of the universe who paints the skies with dancing lights that go on forever created ME for a purpose. He uniquely crafted me with intention and direction. I’m not a cookie cutter person looking and acting exactly like the person next to me. I am unique. I am special. AND. SO. ARE. YOU!

Dear Lord, your Word says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made — that in Christ, I have a purpose. Father, help me to walk in that purpose. Help me to see that I was made for so much more than just myself. Show me God how to serve you within that purpose. Remind me that I am your delight, your masterpiece, your joy. I marvel at your creation and am humbled to know that I am part of that. Thank you, God. In Jesus’ name ~ AMEN!