Masterpiece

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.

Eph 2:10 (NLT)

 

Our lone saguaro is probably more than 100 years old.  As you can see the original trunk has broken off and new arms have sprouted.  It takes 75 years for even one arm to sprout so we know this saguaro has seen many seasons and continued to grow through much adversity - a reminder to us of God’s continued work in our own lives.  We are his masterpiece.  He continues to work through every season of our lives even times of brokenness.  

He has promised an abundant and full life.  If we feel stuck, isolated, discontent it is time to reaffirm our trust in his promises, to examine ourselves and our priorities and rest again in him who has the power to fulfill all of his desire for us.  As we rest in him, daily, wholeheartedly fulfilling what our hands find to do, he will continue to work on his masterpiece. 

God, I wait on you to reveal all that you want me to do.   I seek to know your will and to do the good works you planned for me long ago.  Remove every impediment that would keep me from knowing and doing your will.  Let me be content day by day, allowing your spirit of love to show through me toward everyone I come in contact with.  Let me do the work that is before me with enthusiasm.  Expand my tent to include more people, more friends, more family, more service to those in need.  Let me expend my energies in all that you desire.  Then, I know I will experience the abundant and fulfilling life that you have for me.  Use my discontent to spur me on to be all you want me to be.  I know it is by your power and your spirit alone that this can be accomplished.

Work willingly at whatever you do,

as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Col 3:22 (NLT)

 The Lord will work out his plans for my life—

for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.

Psalms 138.8 (NLT)

May he equip you with all you need for doing his will.

May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ,

every good thing that is pleasing to him.

Heb 13.21 (NLT)

Satisfaction

Remember the old Rolling Stones song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." That seems to express the condition of the human heart.  Satisfaction and contentment seem hard to come by. What we have is never quite enough. We're always looking for just a little bit more. Could it be we are seeking satisfaction in the wrong places? 

“There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”*

There is a truth expressed here.  There is a place in us that will never be satisfied by anything but God.  If it is not filled with God, then like a vacuum, it will suck in whatever is available to fill the void - material things, activities, relationships, etc. (All good in their proper place.)

Our Father is the only one who understands our needs and what will truly bring us satisfaction.  For your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Matt 6:8 (NLT).  A true sense of fullness and satisfaction comes from our relationship with God.  As we open ourselves to him and come to rest in simple trust in our Father, he satisfies our longings and fills our lives with good things. 

Why spend money on what is not bread,

 and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

 and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Isaiah 55:2 (NIV)

You satisfy me more than the richest feast.

Psalms 63:5 (NLT)

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

(From Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting - Jean Sophia Pigott 1845-1882)

*This quote is often attributed to mathematician Blaise Pascal.  It seems that it is not an exact quote but is derived from his writings in Pensees #425