Surrendering to God's Workmanship

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

In the bustling workshop of life, amidst the clamor of our own ambitions and the world's expectations, there exists a divine Craftsman whose gentle yet purposeful hands are shaping us. We often forget, in our striving and struggling, that we are not self-made, but God-made. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians that we are God's workmanship, His masterpiece in progress.

Consider for a moment the implications of this profound truth. The Creator of the universe, the One who spoke galaxies into existence and crafted the intricate design of every snowflake, is personally invested in shaping your life. This is not a haphazard process, nor is it a mass production. Each of us is a unique work of art, being carefully and lovingly formed by the Master Craftsman.

But what does it mean to be God's workmanship? It means that our identity, purpose, and potential are not self-determined, but God-determined. We are not merely existing, but we are being created – an ongoing process of formation and transformation. This process began the moment we put our faith in Christ Jesus, and it continues throughout our earthly journey.

Just as a poet carefully chooses each word, considering its sound, meaning, and placement within the larger work, so God is intentional about every aspect of our lives.

The Greek word used for "workmanship" in this verse is "poiema," from which we get our English word "poem." We are God's poem, His work of art, His masterpiece. Just as a poet carefully chooses each word, considering its sound, meaning, and placement within the larger work, so God is intentional about every aspect of our lives. Nothing is wasted, nothing is random. Every experience, every challenge, every joy is part of the creative process.

However, being God's workmanship is not a passive state. We are created "unto good works." There is a purpose to God's craftsmanship – He is shaping us for service, for impact, for a life that reflects His glory and advances His kingdom. These good works are not a means of earning salvation, but rather the natural outflow of a life being transformed by the divine Artist.

Moreover, these good works are not improvised on the spot. They are works "which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Long before we were born, God had a plan for our lives. He envisioned the unique ways in which we would contribute to His grand narrative of redemption. Our job is not to invent these good works, but to discover them and walk in them.

This brings us to a crucial point: our cooperation with God's work in our lives. While God is the master Craftsman, we are not inanimate objects. We have the ability to yield to or resist His shaping process. Surrendering to God's workmanship involves trust, patience, and often, embracing discomfort. It means allowing Him to chip away at our rough edges, to mold us in ways that might feel strange or painful at times. It requires us to release our own plans and ambitions, trusting that His design for our lives is far superior to anything we could devise on our own.

Consider the words of the prophet Jeremiah: "But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand" (Isaiah 64:8, KJV). The image of the potter and the clay vividly illustrates our relationship with God. The clay doesn't dictate its shape to the potter. It yields to the potter's hands, allowing itself to be pressed, molded, and fashioned according to the potter's vision.

In practical terms, surrendering to God's workmanship might mean embracing a difficult season, knowing that God is using it to shape your character. It might mean stepping out in faith into a new area of service, trusting that God has prepared you for this good work. It might mean letting go of your own timeline for your life and trusting God's perfect timing.

As we yield to God's craftsmanship, we begin to discover the unique calling He has for each of us. We start to see how our gifts, passions, and even our struggles fit into His greater purpose. We learn to align our daily actions with His will, not out of duty, but out of a growing desire to see His vision for our lives realized.

Dear reader, where in your life do you need to surrender more fully to God's workmanship? Are there areas where you've been resisting His shaping hand? Remember, the God who began this good work in you is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). Trust His process, yield to His touch, and watch in wonder as He creates something beautiful out of your life.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your creative power and Your personal investment in each of our lives. We acknowledge that we are Your workmanship, carefully and lovingly crafted by Your hands. Forgive us for the times we've resisted Your shaping process or tried to dictate the course of our lives.

Lord, we surrender ourselves anew to Your craftsmanship. We invite You to mold us, shape us, and transform us according to Your perfect will. Give us the patience to trust Your timing and the courage to embrace the challenges that come with growth. Help us to discover and walk in the good works You've prepared for us.

We confess our need for Your grace in this process. Shape our wills to align with Yours. Open our eyes to see the unique calling You have for each of us. And grant us the joy of participating in Your grand story of redemption.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. Amen.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6 (KJV)