By Mark
Take a moment to consider the wonder of God's creation. From the vastness of space, stars, planets, and comets to the intricate details of your own DNA His incredible handiwork is on display all around us and even inside of us. For despite the powerful majesty and colorful variety that we observe in the world, we find that the pinnacle of God's creative expression is us, the human race!
For those who may doubt the fact that as humans we mark the grand finale of God's creation, just stop and think about all of the amazing things that God has given us the ability to do. We can run, jump, dance, sing, paint, write stories, poems, and songs, remember a ridiculous amount of information, solve complex problems, design and construct buildings and vehicles, plan cities, organize governments, and create a vast array of inventions. What other creature or species comes even close to all of that?
Before this realization starts to fill our hearts with pride and arrogance, let us remember that we are only masterpieces. We did not create ourselves. We are simply an expression of the Master who fashioned us to be a reflection of Himself and bear His image (Genesis 1:26-27).
Now, when we say things like, "I'm just not good at anything" or "I'm not special" or "I'm worthless" or "I'm ugly" it's a slap in God's face. We're refusing to acknowledge the intelligence, beauty, and intricate detail that he has placed in each one of us. Most of the time, we're just too lazy to put the time and effort into discovering just how amazing God made us to be.
God has told us plainly through His Word that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalms 139:14) and that He has given us everything we need for life and godliness so that you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world (1 Peter 1:3-4). God has so richly blessed you that the only way your life could possibly be rendered worthless or meaningless would be if you resist His perfect design for your life . . .
Unfortunately, that's exactly what you have done.
Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fall short of glory of God. Don't be misled, your sin does not simply amount to a few minor mistakes in your life. You have rebelled against God, your Maker, and betrayed your own nature. As a result, your entire being (mind, body, and spirit) have become entirely corrupted and depraved. You have become filled with wickedness, evil, greed, envy, murder, deceit, and malice. And because of your arrogance, you've tried to convince yourself that you don't even have a problem (Romans 1:28-32).
And there you lie: a broken and defiled masterpiece. Despite your best efforts to fix yourself, all you are
in God’s eyes is a pile of filthy, stinking rags (Isaiah 64:6). God created you to bear His image and you have done everything in your power to cast Him off. Your life was supposed to point to God and instead you've run away from Him.
But even though you are dead in your sins with no way to even ask for help (Ephesians 2:1-3), God intervened. Jesus Christ, the perfect and spotless Lamb of God, took our sins upon Himself and received the punishment that we deserved: the wrath of Almighty God (1 Peter 2:22-24). He died and gave up His perfect, sinless life to save wretched and vile sinners like us (Romans 5:6-8). Then He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to give assurance to those who believe in Him that they, too, will also rise and go to be with God (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Now He calls everyone everywhere to repent and believe in this good news (Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30). When you do, you will be given the Holy Spirit who will come inside you and change your heart so that you will follow God's Word (Ephesians 1:13-14; Ezekiel 36:27; Romans 8:11).
If you know that you have repented of sin, if you have put your faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, if you have received the Holy Spirit and are walking in God's ways, then Jesus has said that you will do amazing like He did while He was on earth (John 14:12). Jesus did not come to show off. He came to show us the fullness of human existence. When we live our lives dependent upon God and submit to His Will, we cannot possibly fail (Romans 8:31-39). So the only question left for you is this: knowing that you can't possibly fail, what has God called you to do for His Kingdom? Remember, God doesn't have any meaningless or unimportant jobs for us. What is He calling you to do? Listen to Him! Then go forth and conquer with the assurance that the God of universe goes with you and will NOT let you mess up His plan!
