I love artwork by famous artists such as Picasso or Monet. Some of their works are masterpieces. I even enjoy paintings from non-famous artists. When our oldest son was around seven or eight years old, he created the image shown here which I thought was so beautiful and the composition was well thought out for such a young age. I kept it all these years and had it framed. At different times, it has been hung in different rooms around the house in the fall which was the season he created it. I can look at this or at famous pieces for a long time and not get tired of looking at them.
Guess what? God looks at us the same way. Ephesians 2:10 NLT says, “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.” Don’t read it too fast that you miss it. It says we are God’s masterpiece. Can you believe it? Read that again, except this time, replace “we” with “I”. For I am God’s masterpiece… Read it slowly and let it sink in. I. Am. God’s masterpiece. I don’t know about you, but when I internalized that, I felt so valuable! Picasso and Monet got their talents from God and their pieces have large monetary values placed on them. But you know what? You can’t even put a number on your value to God!
The writer of Psalm 139 beautifully reflects on the beautiful work of God when He created us. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13-16).
We hear a lot of messages and go through a lot of experiences throughout our lifetime. Self-image is derived from these messages and experiences. It is what we think of ourselves, based on how we think others think of us, speak to us, treat us, and look at us. How we see ourselves is important as it can affect how we make decisions.
Self-image can fluctuate at different times in life due to circumstances. However, for an overall sense of self, I would encourage you to look at yourself the way God looks at you. A healthy self-image is not one that is prideful. It is not based on having $____ in the bank. It is not based on having clothes that are in style, or a home that is magazine-worthy, or ____ (you can fill in the blank). It is not based on anything that can change at the drop of a hat like sickness, unemployment, fire, etc.
If you struggle with your self-image, I encourage you to figure out the cause, and then realign your thinking with God’s viewpoint. A healthy self-image comes upon the acceptance of God’s valuation of who we are. It is seeing ourselves the way God sees us -- no more, no less. We grow and thrive when we see ourselves the way God sees us and allow Him to make us into who He designed us to be.
The world’s messages tell us that we are beautiful if we look a certain way, use a certain brand makeup, or wear a certain brand of clothing, all of which are temporary as they fade away, wear out, and change with the times. God says we are His masterpiece because He created us, and loves us the way He created us, without makeup, without our hair done/curled/colored, without creams, or anything that we think make us look pretty.
God made each one of us uniquely different from other people. We all have different fingerprints, different DNAs, different teeth, different personalities, and different skill sets. He thoughtfully planned all the details when He created you to be used for your family, for others, and most importantly, for Him, that no one else can. So why in the world would you want to look or be like someone else?! How boring would it be if all art masterpieces looked the same?
You are beautiful as you. You are unique. You are loved. You are treasured. Be you-niquely you the way God designed you as His masterpiece!
