His workmanship

For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. (Ephesians 2:10)

Workmanship - we think of it in terms of what we can produce. God thinks of it as what he has produced! We are his own master work - a work of art. We put art on display, don't we? Why would God do expect anything less from his works of art? We are 'put on display' in this world, to reveal God's love and grace to others. As his creation, we were spiritually transformed, renewed, and made ready to be used by him in this world (in whatever capacity he chooses to use us).

In other words, we aren't 'stagnant' in our faith. We allow God to use us wherever he places us. Life changes each day - new experiences come no matter how 'routine' our days may seem. We have the opportunity to be what this world refers to as 'influencers' in a very special way. We reveal Christ through our good works - the good works he has prepared for us to engage in long before we find ourselves doing them! Maybe what we lack most is what we can refer to as 'prepared obedience' to follow the 'prepared path he has established 'in advance' for us.

The most critical part of this passage may be the very next statement - taking paths which he set. Too many times, we choose paths that stimulate us in one way or another, then wonder why we don't feel all that 'fulfilled' at the end of that path. Perhaps it is because we have missed the opportunities to 'influence' the lives of others by taking that path. Those 'good works' we are called upon to engage in aren't always found on the path we choose because of the ease of traveling that path. Sometimes they are found on the path 'less traveled' because it isn't all that easy!

The purpose of spiritual transformation? Live life differently - be an instrument he uses regardless of where we are placed. Sometimes we struggle to see our lives as transformed - maybe it is because that transformation becomes apparent as we engage in the good works he has called for us to be a part of as we go down the pathways he has prepared 'in advance' for us to travel. Sometimes we need to 'see' what others see in looking upon God's workmanship and that may just come with that next encounter God has prepared 'in advance' for us today. Just sayin!