One of my favorite poems was written in 1921 by Myra Brooks Welch called “The Touch of the Master’s Hand” (also known as The Old Violin). You have probably heard it. The setting is at an auction where the auctioneer tries to auction off an old dusty violin. He begins the bidding at $1 and by the time he reaches $4, there are no takers. Then, from the back of the room, an old gray-haired man, comes to the front, picks up the violin, dusts it off, tightens the strings, and then plays a sweet beautiful melody… sweeter than the angels sing. The auctioneer continues, but this time he starts the bidding at a $1,000. Someone buys it for $4,000. The people cried out “What made the change… we don’t understand.” The auctioneer smiled and said, “It was the touch of the Master’s hand.”
Did you know that you have the touch of the Master’s hand as well? Our key verse in Ephesians says that we are “God’s masterpiece.” After God created each part of creation in Genesis 1, He looked at it and saw that it was good. It’s like He sat back in His lofty chair and smiled, thinking “Now that’s amazing!” Biblical theology supports this same thing in speaking about YOU. God saw you and after He was done creating you, He said, “Now, that’s what I’m talking about. I have just created a TRUE MASTERPIECE!”
The world may not acknowledge you. Your family may not recognize your worth. You may not understand your value. In fact, at times you may feel invisible, cast out, passed over, or useless. But we need to listen to what God says about us rather than the world or what we feel. Because to God and to His Kingdom, we are cherished, treasured, valued, and worth more than any amount of money. You stand apart from creation. God has displayed you for all to see. Because He sees what we or no one else does… He sees His work. Imagine that!
Ephesians 2:10 says that He created us anew in Christ Jesus. Why is that? Paul goes on to say that we were created as a masterpiece to “do the good things he planned long ago.” Here’s the thing… God had you in mind long before you were born. Your life and your salvation were written in His Book waaaaay before you got here. You were created for a purpose… to show Jesus to the world. To be a light. To be an ambassador. To be the hands and feet of Jesus. To point people to the Kingdom of God.
As His masterpieces, let’s fulfill that purpose. And when it’s all done and we are called home, I’m guessing we will see the most radiant smile we have ever seen the moment we look at Jesus’ face. Let these words encourage you today.