HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?

 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

                When I was growing up, I didn’t like myself. I was skinny, I had red hair and freckles, and I had a light complexion, which kept me out of the sun. I also lacked self-confidence. I was shy and timid, afraid to get involved out of a fear of failure. My parents were always supportive and encouraging. There were others that encouraged me as well. What held me back was how I saw myself. I had a poor self-image.

                There are many people in our world who have inflated images of themselves. The mantra, “you can be whatever you want to be”, has fueled the fire of many driven, type A people. But at the other end of the spectrum is a significant number of people who have a less than positive view of themselves. Maybe they have been told that they will never amount to anything, and have believed it. Maybe they just lack self-confidence, like I did. Or maybe they have some perceived defect that holds them back. Whatever the cause, a negative self-image is just as bad as an overinflated ego.

                In Romans 12, Paul warns us against having too high of an estimation of ourselves. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 (NIV) From my experience, having too low of an estimation of yourself is just as bad. What Paul is calling for is a realistic understanding of who God created us to be; to embrace our true identity, which can only be discovered in relationship with Christ.

                In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul talked about the body of Christ. He makes the point that everyone of us who are a part of the body are valuable and needed. Each one of us has a part to play and a place to fit in. There are no insignificant parts of Christ’s body.

                Ephesians 2:10 tells us that, if we are in Christ, we are God’s workmanship. The word workmanship can also be translated masterpiece. A masterpiece is not mediocre, it is amazing. A true masterpiece can take your breath away. A true masterpiece invites you in and engages your spirit. A true masterpiece stands out from the crowd.

                When my children were in elementary school, I volunteered to go into their classroom once a month and teach masterpiece art. Each year I was given a curriculum that focused on a particular style of art. Over the years we studied landscape art, formal portraits, still life art, and American western art. The paintings that we studied were not all the same, but they were all created by a master. The different styles of art were not measured against other styles, but explored for themselves. But what made each one of the pieces we looked at important was who created them.

                The Bible is very clear that we are not cookie cutter, mass-produced knock-offs of some masterpiece. We are, each one, an original masterpiece. And what makes us significant is not the style of our life or our part in the body of Christ, but it is God’s signature on our lives. As Paul says, when we place our faith in Christ we are clothed in Christ. He places his signature on our lives.

                Part of being one of God’s masterpieces is that God has created each one of us with purpose and for a purpose. Fredrick Remington sought to capture the intrigue of the Old West. Paul Cezanne is famous for both his still life paintings and his landscapes. Rembrandt and Van Gogh are known for their amazing portrait paintings. Each master focused on a specific aspect of art and zeroed in on it until they drew near to perfection.

                As a masterpiece of God, each of us has a different focus on a different part of what it means to be God’s representative in the world. God has uniquely gifted each one of us to accomplish the good works that he has designed for us to do. He wants us to embrace our role and fulfill it with energy.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

                But we should never forget that what gives our life meaning and purpose is God. He is the source of our beauty. He is the creator of our person. And He is working through us to present His masterpieces to the world. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

                When we view ourselves by the world’s standards, it is easy to become discouraged. Satan loves to sow the seeds of insecurity and doubt in our minds. But when we fix out eyes on the master, we can begin to become all that He created us to be.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)