How to be a Masterpiece in 2016
I can’t imagine why Chen Forng –Shean, does what he does.
This Taiwanese artist chooses the tiniest thing, on which to create his awesome artworks.
He gets a grain of rice—yes, one grain!— and on that miniature piece, he carves and paints people’s faces! Each rice grain is a one of a kind masterpiece. Each one, a unique creation.
“Chen Forng-Shean has gained international recognition for his amazing talent of making incredible works of art out of the simplest and tiniest things. The self-taught artist spends up to several months in front of a magnifying glass, working on a single piece.”
Imagine the labor and the dedication of that guy! If that were me, I would be so impatient that I would just gobble down the rice! But Chen Forng-Shean sees potential in his creations, something I don’t see.
As we started 2016, this verse kept replaying in my mind:
“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.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Here are some secrets I’m learning:
1) Only A Master can take something Ordinary and create it into something Extraordinary.
I don’t want an ordinary life. I want a meaningful one. No one starts a New Year thinking: “I want this year to be just an ordinary year. Just so-so. Same as last year.” No!!! We all are excited to have a FRESH start. A NEW beginning. That’s the reason why many of us make new year’s resolutions.
But left to our own devices, we have limited capacities to make it happen. In many ways, our power is similar to those grains of rice. Rice is so common. There are millions, if not billions, of rice grains in the world. What will make your life set apart from the rest of the crowd? The hands of a master makes all the difference!
Chen’s works of art don’t get ignored or thrown to the trash! Why? Because a master came and changed it’s identity forever, from common to extraordinary.
A key to having an extraordinary 2016 is knowing and deciding who is going to be the Master of your life.
2) God is changing my Mess-terpiece into His Master-piece. The Master Artist is carving something in me, that I have yet to see.
Maybe you made a mess of 2015. That’s exactly why Jesus came. He is a master restorer. He makes the impossible, possible. That’s why the verse says “…He has created us anew in Christ Jesus.”
A rice grain by itself can’t boast. When the Master starts carving his design, many times we have no idea where God is leading us. But if we have faith, enduring faith, God is making you and me into Masterpieces. A piece created by a Master. I’d rather have my family and my destinies created by Jesus than insisting on my own finite resources, strengths or talents.
3) God has already prepared good works for you to do in 2016.
This revelation fills me with such relief and excitement. I don’t have to wonder and think “What am I supposed to be doing with my life?” “Am I just wasting my llfe?” “Is this all there is?”
No! Whether you are a career person, parent, student; male or female, God has already prepared the way! He has the Master Plan!
I can begin my week consulting my Master Architect-Builder and say “Lord, have Your way and will in my life. Guide me as I begin a new week. Lead me to the right contacts. Guide me to make the right decisions. Thank You that You are equipping me and supplying me with ALL I need according to YOUR riches and glory in Christ Jesus.”
I can begin my day declaring “Father, I will walk and fulfill the good works You have prepared in advance for me to do. Lord, I declare that each of my family members will be obedient and do the good works that You have prepared for them to do. My sons and daughters will live meaningful lives. They will not wander through life aimlessly, but will steward and enjoy all that You have planned for us. Give us listening ears and teachable hearts. Give us the courage and obedience to stick by Your word. Amen!”
So dear reader, Happy New Year! May you and I be His Masterpiece in 2016 :>
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 ESV
“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 138:8 ESV
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