Monday, May 7, 2012

God's Handiwork

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


My grandmother on my Mother's side was Mima Marshall.  She and her husband immigrated from Scotland when they were young marrieds.  She never wanted to be called Grandma, or Grand-anything for that fact.  We were to call her Mom but it had to be spelled "M-a-m."  She was reserved in personality until she got acquainted and then could be very outgoing.  When I think of Mom, I think of several things and each left a distinct impression me, especially in one area.

I've been reading in Ephesians and often use more than one translation in such a process.  I came to the verse above and saw the word "workmanship."  However, I noticed elsewhere that "workmanship" can be translated "handiwork."  The minute I saw that word "handiwork" I thought immediately of Mam.  When I was young, if a woman did any crocheting, knitting, embroidery, etc., that was referred to as handiwork.  I watched through the years as my grandmother made countless sweaters, embroidered dishtowels (some I still have), crochet edgings on pillow cases, crocheted doilies and knit socks...and on and on.  I never lacked for warm mittens or gloves in the wintertime.  I don't think there was any handiwork she couldn't do.  To this day, I am so grateful for her teaching me how to crochet and embroider.  I have her crochet hooks that I still use.

I recall her crocheting a set of doilies that a friend had asked her to make.  One doily was finished and she had it spread out on her bed.  She was well into getting the other one finished.  It always looked like her crocket hook was going at full speed.  She never liked to be interrupted when doing handiwork.  She always said that she would lose her count.  However, on this particular day, I did interrupt her and she must have been at a good place to stop.  I asked her if the two doilies would be completely alike and she said, "Never...even though I use the same pattern, thread and crochet hook, the two doilies will not be identical.  They may look alike but there will always be slight differences that won't be easily seen by anyone but me."  I never understood that until I got into crocheting doilies because I usually make them in sets.  When finished, I lay out both doilies side by side and they sure look identical but I know they aren't.  You see, the maker or creator can look at a glance and see some of the differences right away even though there are many similarities.

Scripture says we are God's workmanship or handiwork.  In many ways, we human beings look very much alike with similar body parts except for being made male and female.  When God created man, He had a pattern in mind and in His wonderful creativity, came up with you and me.  Although we are all very similar physically, we know there are very obvious differences.  A very dear friend of mine is an identical twin.  It was terribly confusing when I first met Brenda and her sister Linda.  Talk about identical...they ARE identical, but even they would tell you that there are differences.  They are a unique example of God's handiwork.

Our Scripture tells us we are made for good works that will honor Jesus.  As Christians, it still happens that we fail to honor our differences.  God has never created any two people alike.  Although similar in many ways, God's intent is for us to be different and those differences are meant to be of great benefit to the Kingdom.  Churches are full of Christians who are climbing on top of each other to be the most popular, most recognized, and perhaps most talented.  God never intended for us to serve Him in the same, identical ways.  We may have the same physical image as human beings and as Christians share a spiritual DNA with other members of God's family, but there is no need to take part in competing against each other in our service.

God wants us individually to use our own spiritual gifts as best we can in working for Him.  Our work will never be like someone elses...two doilies from the same pattern, thread, and hook will still never be exactly.  A church choir is made up of several voices.  Some of those people have excellent solo voices while I have always been just a "honker alto."  I have enough sense to know I'm not a soloist, but at the same time know there is a need in the choir for those of us who may not be soloists but we sound pretty good working together to make those soloists sound even better.  There is a need to know individually what our abilities are and to use those for the cause of Christ.  We need to realize our uniqueness and serve wherever we can with those talents and abilities.  God hand-crafted us to fill slots in His work that no one else is meant to fill.

We are His handiwork!  Relax...serve as God has planned.  We are each unique in Him...His workmanship...His handiwork.


Dear Father, I feel so honored that You would create me to serve You in my own unique way.  I must admit there are times I'd like to do some things others are doing that might look more exciting.  Empower me to do the very best I can with those unique abilities and gifts You have given me.  I embrace my uniqueness...Your handiwork.  I love you...Amen!


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