Poiéma

 "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

Workmanship means "what has been made." The word, workmanship, which translates the ancient Greek word poiéma, is the idea that we are God's beautiful poem.  The Jerusalem bible translates workmanship as "work of art or masterpiece."

"Believers are God's workmanship because they have been created (only a work God can do) in Christ Jesus." Walvoord & Zuck

Our purpose?

To walk in good works.

"God has prepared a path of good works for believers which He will perform in and through them as they walk by faith. This does not mean doing a work for God; instead, it is God performing His work in and through Believers." Walvoord & Zuck

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Philippians 2:13

Guzik writes, "God saves us not merely to save us from the wrath we rightly deserve but also to make something beautiful of us. We become God's Work of Art."

I love that.

Beautiful art results from a beautiful walk with our Creator, from The very One who made us. To think that even before time began, (God is not limited in time) God knew me. He created my structure and my looks; and then He gifted me with talents and abilities to fulfill His purpose for my life to glorify Him.

I don't always feel like a Work of Art.  Sometimes I feel like I'm a result of a Paint-By-Number Craft kit.  But thoughts like that don't come from my Creator, they come from my enemy who wants to defeat me in my thoughts, so it will cripple my walk in the Lord.

I think our walk would be more fruitful, if, before we even get out of our beds in the morning, we say to our Lord, "Thank you for this day and for loving me enough to use me for your glory. No matter what I face today in the ugliness of this sinful world, help me to remember I am your Work of Art."

I am valuable...

    I am treasured...

        I am your Work of Art and Masterpiece, because,

            You, Lord, Created me!

                But that's just me!