God’s Masterpiece

Arguably one of the most influential artists of all time was a French painter by the name of Camille Pissarro. He is said to be the father of impressionism and someone who influenced the likes of Renoir, Gauguin, van Gogh and Cézanne. In some of his major works he employed a style known as pointillism- these are the paintings I like the best! Here Pissarro used a multitude of very small patches of pure colours, rather than longer strokes. The effect, seen from a distance, is incredible.

Sometimes it helps me to see God our Father as a master artist and ourselves as tiny little brushstrokes, created and placed by His skilful hand. Each of us is unique, and each of us has a tiny part to play in His incredible and complex master plan. The difference is that His artistry is not displayed on a canvas but stretches out over all of history. God is creating something special over the entirety of space and time, and He is using you and me to display something of His own glory. As it 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’ (Ephesians 2:10).

The challenging bit for me is to be willing to just be that little tiny stroke of His brush that is in the right place and is exactly the size, shape and colour He wants. Nothing more but also definitely nothing less. In light of this, the goal I strive for is to be who God created me to be; to do what He wants me to do; and to fulfil this in the place He has put me. Not trying to be someone else, not needing to be any larger or more spectacular than He intended. Just a well-designed and well-positioned unique bit of pure colour in His divine masterpiece.

The comforting aspect of this metaphor is that God is working out an intricate plan, which we all get to be part of. When considering this perspective, we realise how fulfilling and meaningful our lives are in Him. Therefore, even when we feel we don’t understand everything, He’s in us and with us. We can know He’s using us for His glory simply by allowing ourselves to be ourselves. We serve an amazing God and I for one can’t wait to be in eternity and get a clearer picture of all the wonderful things God has done –even through you and me - to bring Himself glory!


Prayer: Father, thank You that I am a part of your plan and that You created me because you wanted me to exist and bring you glory. Please help me to be fully that person you had in mind when you made me, because I want to live to glorify you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.