Workmanship! For We Are His Workmanship

This week I am going to let you in on a conversation I have been having with myself over why things are hard sometimes.

It revolves around the word workmanship.

The original Ancient Greek word that Paul uses for workmanship…

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

…is meant to describe a piece of art from a talented craftsman. This word is also translated “made” in Romans 1:20 (ESV) when Paul is talking about Creation proclaiming the existence of our God and his character.

The idea is that this thing–which is clearly us–was made that it proclaimed the greatness and plans of a Creator that is even more glorious than the work of art.

But, even though we are God’s workmanship, he is not done. In other words, God is not done. He continues working on us. He did not just mold us in the Creation event and let us alone. He continues to mold us. For some of you, you are thinking, “Let me alone! I am done being molded.” I know that I have thought this.

The reason we might feel this way is because we know that molding is often painful. In some cases it hurts quite a lot. Best case, it is uncomfortable!

We don’t want our children to grow older and leave the home. We don’t want to lose jobs. Or, we don’t want to lose loved ones. We don’t want the feeling of being stretched or knocked off balance. We are fearful of tomorrow being much different than today.

My grandfather used to always say that the only thing certain in this world is change. I used to get really unsettled when I would hear him say this because I liked the present day. I was comfortable! Things were going well. Tomorrow was uncertain.

I wasn’t and never have been a negative person and I don’t know if you can relate with this thought or not, but I was nervous about tomorrow because I didn’t know what to expect. Change made me uneasy.

I know that there are lots of verses urging us not to give care for tomorrow or not to be fearful. I appreciate those verses, but none of them give me comfort regarding change like considering that we are God’s workmanship. Our God is an artist, and His Creation declares His Glory and Greatness and Character. He has a plan in this world and He wants to use us.

Therefore, what He is doing is changing me and molding me as an ultra-talented artist to do the task He has for me. And that task, it is not worse than today, but more beautiful. Why? Well, it proclaims redemption and that God loves us. God desires to redeem more people. To proclaim to more people who He is and what He has done and is doing.

And, right now, as a parent, he is molding you to be a better parent and discipler. That is ultimately the goal, God works on you to work on others.

Therefore, tomorrow is certain! God is working on us to make us a conduit for what He is doing in this world. We are His workmanship! He is not done! He will never be done! And, He is not done with those around you either! He works. Always, God is working!  

Sometimes, his work is hard to see, but as a workman, he does not stop. He continues until the task is finished. We are moving to a goal of a master artist. He does not make mistakes. His hand does not slip.

When the world around us seems to be diminishing, we are working toward a goal–a finished masterpiece. The Master Artist is in control.

That–I take a lot of comfort in no matter how uncomfortable things feel in the short-term.