O my luve’s like a red, red, rose.

That’s newly sprung in June;

O my luve’s like a melodie

That’s sweetly play’d in tune.

(first stanza from “A Red, Red Rose” by poet Robert Burns)

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (Ephesians 2:10, Amplified)

For we are God’s masterpiece… (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

We are God’s handiwork, His workmanship, His masterpiece.

The Greek word translated as workmanship in Ephesians 2:10 is the Greek word poiema. Greek scholar Rick Renner says this word “carries the idea of something that is artfully created” (from Rick Renner’s Sparkling Gems From the Greek)

He shared that “the Greek word for a poet, poietes, comes from this same word… one who has the extraordinary ability to write or create a literary masterpiece.” (Sparkling Gems From the Greek)

I think of God writing His masterpiece. I think of God writing a beautiful poem which is my life.

At the beginning of this post I included the first stanza from a very famous poem. See how beautiful it sounds with a lovely rhythm and rhyme.

Now imagine the poem, the life, being written saying, “I don’t like that line. Maybe we can do this instead.” Breaking the rhythm and rhyme of this beautiful masterpiece.

“I really don’t like that line about forgiveness. I really don’t like that line about loving and praying for my enemies. I really don’t like that line about living a holy life. I don’t really like that line about love not seeking it’s own way. I really don’t like that line about loving my wife. I really don’t like that line about respecting my husband.”

So this poem, this masterpiece, begins to try to write itself without the Master.

Without the Master, it is no longer a masterpiece.

With His leading, guiding and instruction in your life, He is writing a masterpiece. He is creating a thing of beauty. Let the Master mold you. Let the Master make you what you ought to be. Let the Master, through His Presence and through His Word, paint the picture that is your life. Let your life be His masterpiece.