Masterpiece

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the concept that we are God’s Masterpiece…

What does that mean?

According to the dictionary, a masterpiece is “a work done with extraordinary skill especially a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement,” or “a person’s greatest piece of work.”

Synonyms include “treasure,” “perfection,” “exquisite,” and “crowning achievement.”

When I think of a masterpiece, I envision all of the time, effort, and process it must have taken to create:

I see the hours, days, maybe even years it took to find the perfect inspiration, and then to compose an idea worthy of a master.  I see the look of frustration after erasing the same line yet again, blowing eraser pieces to the already crowded floor which has accumulated small piles of crumpled up sketches.  I see the look of anticipation, as the artist is priming the hand-stretched canvas, preparing it to be ready to receive paint with the utmost grace and elegance. I see the precision behind selecting each pigment that will have the privilege of making an appearance on the composition.  I feel the exhilaration when brush and canvas first meet, like the butterflies that flutter after a first kiss, or the clumsy, yet delicate first dance between a bride and groom. I see the brush gliding across the canvas, like an Olympic medalist commanding an ice rink. There is a perfectly outlined routine that flows so beautiful and effortlessly.  One would never suspect the hours of practice falling down, just to get back up and continue refining each skill. I see the almost accidental sip of the paint-water cup placed next to the artist’s drink, as all cognitive recognition fades into nothing but the painting. I see the years of technique practice paying off as line becomes shape, which then morphs into form through the use of value, texture, color, and space.  The blending of colors generates a harmony between stark contrasts and subtle transitions. Mistakes are either brushed over, or embraced into new elements of the piece. I see layers of paint compiling into an illusion of depth as negative space becomes background, and the foreground seems to take twelve steps closer to the viewer. I see a symphony forming before my eyes, reflecting the temperaments and the very nature of the artist.  Dream has now become a reality, and the conceptual becomes...perceived.

Now, once this amazing masterpiece is created, it isn’t shoved to the back of the closet never to be seen again.  No, the artist will do everything possible to make sure this work of art is put on display for as many people as possible to see, and not only that, but the Master will sign the Piece.  This signature represents who the Creator is, so that anyone who experiences the “supreme intellectual or artistic achievement,” and gazes upon the “perfect, treasured, exquisite crowning achievement” of the artist will know exactly whose it is.

And that, in my opinion, is a little piece of what it looks like to be glorified by God once we are justified (Romans 8). When we are able to use the gifts and talents God has given us, His creation is put on display, and in that, he also receives glory. In the moments I don’t feel worthy of praise or glory, I like to reflect on these truths when it comes to understanding “masterpiece.”

Another element that I enjoy reflecting on, is the fact that perfection is not the standard when it comes to who we are and how we represent Christ. This is because “[God’s] power is made perfect in weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9). It’s similar to looking at two vases, one perfectly formed and one pieced back together. From an outsider’s perspective, the whole vase seems more beautiful, but if you place a light inside both vessels and turn the lights off, every crack in the broken vase will shine through. Another example would be looking at our lives like a glove; it can’t do anything unless there is a hand inside. And if the glove happens to be ratty and torn, you can actually see the hand moving and working within. When we are imperfect, and struggle, and have weaknesses, we have the chance to allow God to shine through us, and to give us a purpose. How are we supposed to reach people, and relate to them enough for them to hear our stories, unless there is a bit of brokenness included? We have the opportunity to reach down and out, because God has pieced us back together, and he is still working in and through us.

This is why our stories are so important to share. Even if you feel like your story isn’t worth sharing because you have less cracks or rips, that doesn’t make you any less of a masterpiece. God can take any situation, whether you got yourself there or not, and make it breathtakingly beautiful. You can’t recognize light without dark. And you can’t understand salvation without also experiencing brokenness.