His Works!

For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. EPHESIANS 2:10 AMP

Paul, writing to the Ephesian church, clearly establishes some important truths that we will do well to heed, as we prepare for the return of Christ. First of all, an understanding of my identity and ownership is critical to my pursuit of excellence and impact in the assignment given to me. Please note that today's extract clearly states who I am and who I belong to. I am God's workmanship, his creation, his work of art. I am specially created, particularly equipped and one of a kind. That's my fingerprints are peculiar and my DNA limited to a particular strand. If I understand this, it will keep me from envy, strife with others or an inferiority complex. God who made me didn't copy an original; he simply made an original and threw away the template. Nobody else on earth can be me.

Secondly, my origin is tied to Christ. Everything on earth now was made by the Word, which is personified in Christ. In, through and by Him all things exist. Nothing created can reject the authority of its creator; one day, when the assignment of the created is finished, the created must answer to its creator how it has used the life given to it.

I also note that nothing I do here is an accident. Everything was preplanned by God, and I have been assigned my work and focus. There was a purpose and a plan in place long before I was born, and I am given an assignment that fits into God's overall purpose. He didn't bring me to the world and leave me to my own devices; every nuance, behavioural trait, every quirk was put in place to make me who I am, and are all tools in the hands of the mighty craftsman.

Before I came to this earth, the purpose of God was in place, and after I am long gone, his purpose will remain. What God expects is that I go to him, seek out his will for me, find my niche, settle down and simply work for him. Reward is tied to purpose, not just activity. I can be 'busy' for God, yet not in line with his will and purpose for me. I must find my place in God's plan, settle down and get to work. No other person's opinion counts; just God's. His time of favour is here.