Perfect Masterpiece

What would you define as a masterpiece?

Some would describe a beautifully detailed painting. Others would start talking about the intricately built cathedrals across Europe and their beautiful stained glass and golden ceilings. Still another would talk about a breathtaking sunset that explodes into colors for only a moment before disappearing into darkness. Someone else might even call a classical song a masterpiece. Everyone has their own viewpoint on what a masterpiece looks like to them. And the thing is, they are all right. It’s in the eye of the beholder.

But what if I told you about what a true and perfect masterpiece looks like. I think it is the life-transforming power of God taking a broken life and making it whole. It is making a future possible from someone’s impossibly shattered life.

There is only One who can take a tainted past and mold it with purpose. Only One can breathe life into a pile of dust. I only know of One man who can create something out of nothing.

I wonder, do we have the same eyes when it comes to looking at people? Do we see a masterpiece or even a potential of a masterpiece? Or do we see a hot mess and disregard it as a lost cause? Do we begin a journey towards redemption with someone only to abandon them thinking there is no hope or it’s too demanding of our time? Do we see with eyes of indifference when it comes to someone who may not have much to bring to your life?

How about ourselves. Do I see myself as a masterpiece? To be honest, not as often as I should. I wonder quite often, “What could God possibly do with a life so broken and mundane?” I am filled with ordinary moments that have no real impact for anything. If God sees His creation and calls it good, why can’t I see my life and call it good? Why can’t I see a perfect masterpiece in my brokenness? I see other people’s lives as a beautiful masterpiece and compare it to my own.

In the same way a sculpture is chiseling away at a marble stone, God is chiseling away at my life to create something breathtaking. The process does not take away from the final product. If anything, it makes it that much more beautiful. If beauty truly lies in the eye of the beholder, then I should see nothing but beauty when looking through the eyes of Christ. Jesus is the author and perfecter of our lives and He is perfect in all He does.