Essential

“We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared for us in advance so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 3:10.

Bob Ross, the happy painter, is still a household name. Who would guess that painting can be fun? He made painting less intimidating for homebodies. His Joy of Painting series completed 31 seasons, with 403 episodes. He could film an entire season in 2 days! I think he is more entertaining to watch when he sits in front of a blank canvass on an easel. There is a sense of calm reassurance in his voice when he begins to dip his brush on the color palette. He obviously knows how the painting will finish right before he starts it. Can you imagine staring on a blank canvass with the painting in mind? He mixes his colors as only a skilled painter can execute. Repeatedly simple, refined and delicate strokes go hand in hand with his relaxed demeanor on camera. He gives the painting away with the intro but his final touch is the signature of only a Bob Ross can do. I read that he doesn’t paint people. He won’t add a chimney on his drawings because of its semblance to a human figure.

We are God’s workmanship. The New Living Translation interprets it as masterpiece. If I was a Bob Ross painting, I would like to be a majestic mountain or a gently rushing river. But I’m not. You and I are living, breathing, moving, walking masterpieces. And if Bob Ross left it for the Creator of the world to perfect a human figure, we are formed and sculpted in God’s perfection. We are his own image and likeness. How did we become his masterpiece? We are his life’s work.

We are called to live purposely for what he created us to do. Like a painting on a wall or the Statue of Liberty, we are not stationary. We are designed for good works. We don’t click the button to check and uncheck which ones we prefer to perform. He has written your life’s purpose and destiny. There is no missing link between your unique ability and the good works that Jesus has lined up for you to do. You are the masterpiece whom Jesus Christ laid his life for.

We often live our lives for our own. But God was intentional when he looked down and picked up mud from the earth. We are fashioned for a reason He new the finished craft right before he molded you and named you to be your own person.

Let us walk into our calling with confidence and boldness, where Jesus, our Savior, prepared the way for us to carry out.