You Are God’s Poem

“For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

Peace by David Bowman — Peace, by David Bowman
*Used with permission of the artist*

Did you know you are God’s masterpiece, His poem? The Greek word “poiema” translated as workmanship in Ephesians 2:10 means a poem or created piece of art, sometimes translated as a masterpiece. This verse is a declaration of our uniqueness and the special place we have in God’s heart.

I must admit I don’t feel like a masterpiece right now. I have spent the past three weeks in a recliner recovering from rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder. I’m right-handed, of course, and suddenly I was not capable of doing anything. I have felt useless, and admittedly, I have had a few mini meltdowns during the recovery.

My plans for the end of summer did not include my recliner. I had planned to work on some writing projects. I wanted to organize my closets and pictures. I was going to be “the helper” for a friend as she recovered from surgery. Now I was the one needing help. My surgery was not a surprise to God, only to me. I needed to refocus. My focus had been on what “I” was going to do and “my plans.” I don’t remember even bringing my plans to the Lord. It didn’t seem necessary.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by God

God’s plan was to provide for me through my dear husband, who has served me in precious ways, and through friends who have brought meals and words of encouragement.

Security by David Bowman — Security, by David Bowman
*Used with permission of the artist*

A physical setback doesn’t have to be a spiritual setback. God has reminded me of the simple truth: wherever I am, He is. It is easy to forget that Jesus is with me while I recuperate. He wants me to rest and enjoy His loving presence. I imagine myself in His arms being tenderly rocked like a mother rocks and soothes her child.

These times can be precious moments with my Lord. He has reminded me that my worth is not in what I do. My value comes from being His child and what He says about me. Psalm 139:14 says we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. He created me in His image. He designed me.

Cultivating a Grateful Heart

The Lord can still use me. There are things I can do from my recliner. How He uses me depends on His will and my circumstances. I can’t physically do much right now, but I can worship. I can cultivate a grateful heart and pray. These are no small things. As I write this, I have dear friends who are suffering from serious illnesses, loss, and financial difficulties.

They need prayer and words of encouragement. This I can do. I can listen as well as pray. I can make phone calls and emails on behalf of others. I can rest in the knowledge that God is not finished with me. The truth is, my prayers right now are short but heartfelt. I tire easily. I rest in the assurance that God hears my prayers, simple and short as they are. He receives my worship as the loving Father that He is.

My child by David Bowman — My Child, by D avid Bowman
*Used with permission of the artist*

God created us for good works, but it isn’t our responsibility to do everything! He is showing me that I may be depriving other people of the blessing of fulfilling a need when I think I am the only one who can do it! This realization is humbling. I’ll be able to help in tangible ways in the future.

For now, I am grateful for the friends and family the Lord is bringing alongside me. The closets and pictures aren’t going anywhere. My writing projects will wait. May God give me the wisdom to recognize what and who is important!

I hope you are experiencing the truth that you are God’s created piece of art, His poem. You are precious in His sight. God is with you; God is for you; God loves you. Rest in the sweet assurance of this truth. Where ever you are, God is with you.

Blessings,

Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.

Scripture for Meditation

To give you a deeper study on the themes of my post, You Are God’s Poem, here is some Scripture for Meditation.

Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB)
The Lord your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

Psalm 139:7-12 (NASB)
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.

Psalm 139:13-14 (NASB)
For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.

James 4:13-15 (NASB)
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”