By Jen Weleski
For we are God’s Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
Perhaps this verse is in your list of memory verses or if your like I was, it is the first time you have read it. We are His Masterpieces! What does it truly mean to be a masterpiece? Growing up I was never taught, “viewed,” or felt like anyone’s masterpiece. I was always searching for acceptance from those around me and almost always feeling as if I was coming up short. Never feeling confidant in who I was. But my search, my need for acceptance, my self worth (or should I say lack of) was shaken up the night I walked into a women’s bible study two years ago. The name of the study, Erik Rees’s S.H.A.P.E
In the weeks that would follow I was learning, no I was embracing, what it meant to be His masterpiece; made perfectly in His eyes for a purpose. I found myself slowly turning away from the need to seek approval, the belief of unworthiness, the self image I had of myself and instead began to choose to focus on what truly mattered; understanding what I am here for God’s purpose and to believe that God has equipped me with all that I need to accomplish my life’s purpose through the S.H.A.P.E. He has given me.
As Rees states, “Give yourself permission to be who God made you to be!” Wow! I needed to hear those words. More importantly I needed to accept them; learning to receive my personality as a gift from God. One concept I had never considered; now I treasure.
I’m not saying there aren’t times I still don’t need people’s approval, we all want acceptance. I’m not saying there aren’t times I still don’t feel like I‘m not “good” enough, a work in progress. However, I am saying thru S.H.A.P.E. my eyes, my heart, and my mind was, and has, opened up to believe, to search for His truths and His intentions for my life!
As for today, I know I’m still working on accepting all that the Lord has to offer; I don’t think that will ever go away, not on my time on earth anyway. I know going thru Erik Rees’s S.H.A.P.E. was God’s plan for me. He knew I was sinking. He knew I would be listening. He knew my heart would be open. He knew I needed to know I was somebody’s masterpiece!
What does it mean to be a masterpiece? I know what it means for me. Do you?
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Jen Weleski is a member of Triumph and attends Triumph’s West Campus. Jen attended the S.H.A.P.E. study with a women’s group at the West campus.
