A Real Work Of Art

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Destiny?

by Earl Brackin

Hanging in the Louvre museum is probably the world’s most famous painting. The Mona Lisa has captivated artists as well as the common person for many centuries. It was stolen in 1911, recovered two years later, and then returned after a tour of Italy. During a six-week stay at the Metropolitan Art Museum in NYC, it drew 40,000 viewers per day. While the subject in the painting has 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 to display it. I am convinced that the same is true of our Father God, our Creator. Each person is not only created by Him but made to look like Him and reflect Him and His image. It gives Him great pleasure to dream of how He will use us. He delights in putting us on display. How glorified He must feel when the world looks at us and sees Him! And that’s the point. We are created to reflect to the world the heart of God. As I read that da Vinci continued to work on the Mona Lisa, I was reminded that God continues to

work on us. He spent only six days bringing this world into being, yet He spends a lifetime refining us. I don’t think it’s because we are so difficult or imperfect. Could it be that we are His favorite subject? Could it be that He enjoys the time spent on us and being with us? After all, we are His masterpiece.

Da Vinci could have created his masterpiece on the finest canvas of his day. Yet the Mona Lisa is painted

on a piece of poplar wood. Do you feel inadequate? Do you feel too imperfect to display His work? If the talented but human Da Vinci could transform a piece of common wood into one of the greatest paintings the world has ever known, imagine what the God of all creation can do with you! You are His masterpiece. Enjoy Him as He enjoys working on you. Who knows where He will choose to display you?

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