Are you changing the design?

Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." A masterpiece is made with precise awareness of what one wants to create. There is a purpose in mind, specific things going into the making of that masterpiece, then it is put into use as it was intended. If created for one purpose, but used for another, is the unique design of the masterpiece fulfilled? No, it is 'useful', but not to the degree it was intended. We need to be sensitive to the purpose God has created us to fulfill. Some will think this means they have to have some super-spiritual calling, like missionary or preacher, but we ALL have a design and a purpose. Schoolteacher, nurse, mother, police officer, the list goes on. All must put to use their specific talents - even those we label as 'regular' or 'skills'.

What is amazing is that God creates us ANEW. In Christ Jesus, we come to the place where we are designed to be and into the purpose we were created to fulfill. Apart from him, we are kind of aimless, knowing we have specific 'talents', 'skills', and 'aptitudes' but not realizing how it is he wants to use those for his glory. Even all our 'physical' attributes and 'not so spiritual' talents are part of his plan. We cannot escape design - it is what the masterpiece was intended to be and become! Many will deny design matters, but if we look at all of God's creation, we see design has a purpose. The tree shelters the doe with her new fawn. The spots on the fawn help it to blend into the surrounding environment for protection. The mother provides the milk the young fawn requires until it is strong enough to eat on its own from what the forest provides. Each part of God's design is important - we cannot overlook design.

What has God placed within you as a talent or skill that is part of his design for your life? Are you using it for his glory? You say, "My skill is welding. How can this be used for his glory?" Sometimes it is not the talent that he uses but the aptitude and ATTITUDE with which we perform our skill. Be the best welder you can be, making those joints and seams so meticulously perfect that they will hold up for years to come. You say, "My skill is really not significant. I am a mother of a toddler." Read to that toddler, share Bible truths in those stories, gently guiding them to make wise choices with their lives. Attitude while performing our skill or talent is most important. Do we use our skills grudgingly, just to get ahead in this world, or do we use them for his glory, seeing others benefit from those skills or talents? God's purpose with each masterpiece isn't just for looks - it is for purposeful usefulness!

We cannot deny design, although many will try to change his design. Struggle as they will with 'recreating' what he has designed, they will never be able to change his original design for the individual. We are all given the chance to change - it is at the feet of Jesus that the greatest change comes. Design is not abandoned at the feet of Jesus - it is enhanced. Just saying!