Handiwork (01/03/2025)

This week, I stopped by the neighbor’s home to visit with her for an article in our neighborhood newsletter. I have always admired her and her talents. She is an accomplished musician, a beloved teacher, and an incredible artisan with her counted cross stitching. Her patience in all these fields is only overshadowed by her love for those with whom she shares her handiwork. As I sat at her table and looked about me, I spotted a gorgeous, framed example of her craft on the wall by the front door. Gloria inspires me by her use of her life; she truly has lived into her name, giving glory to the LORD through her life and handiwork.

Later that evening, as I reflected upon the day, I thought of Gloria again. And I recalled the word for “handiwork” in the bible. It is poiemo (ποιημα). It is the root of our English word “poem.” It is used in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiworks, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

The verb form of this word (poieo) is used in another of my favorite passages of the New Testament in the words of Mary to the servants at the wedding in Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). As I pondered these verses prayerfully, I recognized the LORD calling me, His handiwork, to open myself to the good works which He “prepared in advance” for me to do. My prayer that night was simple. “LORD, illuminate my mind and tenderize my heart so that I might live into the one You created me to be and do the good works You prepared in advance for me to do this day and all days of my life.”

We truly are the LORD’s handiwork, each and every one of us. We are created by our LORD in Christ Jesus. Each of us and our lives have value and purpose because of our Creator. Will we prayerfully seek guidance and cooperate with the loving grace of the Spirit to live the lives we were created to live? Will we do whatever He tells us to do?

I love the way the LORD teaches me. I love the way the LORD leads me to discovery and then to application. I love that the LORD gives me the opportunity daily to not only show up for events but to live the experience. In the case of my time with Gloria, the experience opened me more fully to the LORD’s creation as a whole, to my own creation specifically. And I love how realizing that I am one of the LORD’s “poems” being written through my life in Him , It opened me more fully to doing whatever He tells me to do.

As we continue our journeys of faith, buoyed by hope in Christ’s promise, and fueled by love, let us continue to daily open ourselves to “do the good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We will recognize them if we allow the Spirit to guide us and open ourselves to the LORD’s voice within us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.