“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 NASB)
If you were put on the spot and asked to identify what painter took the longest time to create a masterpiece, you might immediately point to Rembrandt, supposing it took him a long time to paint “Judas Returning the Thirty Pieces of Silver.” Nice scholarly response, but it would incorrect. Perhaps, because of your familiarity with art or because of your study on the subject, you would name Ernest Meissonier who took 13 years to paint “Napoleon’s Victory at Friedland.” That would be a good guess, but that would still not be the right answer. A light bulb may go off in your head and you finally point to Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” which took 16 years to paint. That’s a great guess, but da Vinci is not the answer I was hoping to hear.
So that you can arrive at the right answer, let me give you a few hints. The painter who took the longest time to create a masterpiece has painted millions on millions of paintings, all of individuals. His techniques vary, but each masterpiece contains layer on top of layer. His expertise is unmatchable. His desire to make every masterpiece excellent and pleasing to all on earth and heaven is unparalleled. He uses, let’s put it this way, a variety of “brushes,” each representing a single life-experience. When He begins a work, he is committed to completing the work, and truthfully, some have not even been finished yet. Others are just starting, and some are future works that He has yet to start on.
I know you have guessed that the painter I am referring to is none other than the Lord our God. But perhaps you don’t know the name of the painting. So, let me tell you what the name of His masterful works of art are named. They are named “You.” Take it personal, my friend. No matter how young or how old you are, the Lord is still working on “You.” His desire is to produce a good work, one that will be apparent and admired in this life and one that will not be fully completed until the full realization of eternity happens.
Yes, God is working on “You.” Some say that He is the Potter, and we are the clay. Yes, He does that work too! Yet today, let’s think of Him as the Painter that will add another layer and a few varied colors to the painting of “You” today and every day that you are blessed to see. He is not done with you yet! Have a great Thursday! Be blessed!
“I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again.” (Philippians 1:6 Easy-to-Read Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King