Gò0dNews for Everyone
A Real Work Of Art
H
by Earl Brackin
anging in the Louvre museum is probably
work on us. He spent only six days bringing this world
the world’s most famous painting. The Mona
into being, yet He spends a lifetime refining us. I don’t
Lisa has captivated artists as well as the
think it’s because we are so difficult or imperfect.
common person for many centuries. It was stolen in
Could it be that we are His favorite subject? Could it
1911, recovered two years later, and then returned
be that He enjoys the time spent on us and being with
after a tour of Italy. During a six-week stay at the
us? After all, we are His masterpiece.
Metropolitan Art Museum in NYC, it drew 40,000 viewers per day. While the subject in the painting has
Da Vinci could have created his masterpiece on the finest canvas of his day. Yet the Mona Lisa is painted
been debated, the artist is clearly evident. Begun in 1503, Leonardo da Vinci worked on it intermittently for many years. It was found in his studio when he died. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which he prepared in advance for us to do.” The word “workmanship” comes from the Greek word poiema. It can also be translated as “artwork.” What a thought: that you are God’s work of art, His masterpiece, His cherished creation. As a musician, I understand that artists 1) draw pleasure from their artwork and 2) want
on a piece of poplar wood. Do you feel inadequate?
to display it. I am convinced that the same is true of
Do you feel too imperfect to display His work? If the
our Father God, our Creator. Each person is not only
talented but human Da Vinci could transform a piece
created by Him but made to look like Him and reflect
of common wood into one of the greatest paintings
Him and His image. It gives Him great pleasure to
the world has ever known, imagine what the God of
dream of how He will use us. He delights in putting
all creation can do with you! You are His masterpiece.
us on display. How glorified He must feel when the
Enjoy Him as He enjoys working on you. Who knows
world looks at us and sees Him! And that’s the point.
where He will choose to display you?
We are created to reflect to the world the heart of God. Mona Lisa, I was reminded that God continues to
38 // April 2020
About The Author
As I read that da Vinci continued to work on the Earl Brackin is the Minister of Worship at Church on the Hill in Dalton, Georgia. He and his wife Lisa have three children and 5 grandchildren. You can hear his music at earlbrackinmusic.com.
