I’M A MASTERPIECE, BABY!!!
What kind of masterpiece? GOD’S MASTERPIECE!
And so are you!
We begin each new cohort of the Leadership Impact Initiative in exactly the same way: with our CYP verse Ephesians 2:10. In fact, we’ve talked about it so many times that I’d like to share it with you here:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10, NIV
Many translations use the term “workmanship,” or my personal favorite, “masterpiece.” I can’t help reading that verse and wanting to pump my fist and yell, “I’m a masterpiece, baby!”
This is how our conversation tends to go:
- What are we? – We’re masterpieces. Not accidents or mistakes. Not Average Joes. It should make us puff out our chest a little (or a lot!) and give a holy sense of confidence in who we are.
- Who do we belong to? – We’re not just any masterpiece, we’re GOD’S masterpiece. (That’s the best kind of masterpiece there is!)
- How do we operate? – We were “created in Christ Jesus” which means we need to stay aligned with Him. When we operate in Christ, our masterpiece can reach full expression. When we operate outside of Christ, our self-actualization will become self-idolization.
- What do we do? – Good works! But I believe this goes much deeper than simply a “good deed of the day.” Each person has a “good work” to do with their life. It’s a life purpose that’s deep and good and intensely meaningful and personal.
- Who do we work with? – Each other. I think there’s a reason Paul said “we are God’s masterpiece” instead of “I” or “you.” It’s because our “good work” can only reach masterpiece status when we work together. (This sometimes makes the work harder, but it’s also way more meaningful and rewarding.)
- What’s the evidence? – The verse says that God prepared our good work in advance for us. (Our LII cohorts have speculated that “in advance” means even before the world began.) Later in LII, we talk about identity (Psalm 139:13-14) and giftedness (Romans 12:6). How we are designed (personality, strengths and even passions) can provide context clues about the work God has called us to do.
Why do we talk about Ephesians 2:10 so much? Easy. We can’t have a productive conversation about building a career (and life) unless we start with a foundation of faith. That’s the only way any of this works.
Let’s be the masterpieces we were all created to be!