So much more than a little snowflake...

I stood in awe and wonder the other morning out on my front porch, my youngest by my side.  We both had grins on our faces and delight in our eyes.  Great big HUGE snowflakes were falling swiftly making it look like we were inside of a beautiful snow globe.  It struck me so much that I dashed inside to change my Facebook status to this:
"Wow it is breathtaking out right now! Huge, soft, silent flakes drifting down a blanket that is caressing everything with a clean fresh view. And the air feels and breathes so crisp and clear!"
Then I went back out to the porch to try and take some pictures, but as I couldn't find my real camera all I had was the camera on my phone...

Beautiful isn't it?  And this picture does not even do it real justice! So, why am I writing about this two days later?  I read a scripture this morning that really struck me and God punched it even more home to me by reminding me about that moment.

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

As a crafter that word, handiwork, struck me between the eyes and sent my mind spinning.  When I create something I am very careful as I make it.  I have this image in my head and I want my handiwork to turn out just like that image.  I carefully plan and execute that plan.  I cut, sew, glue, color, arrange, etc each part of the handiwork with great care and consideration.  And when my project is complete I take great pride in it and want to share my accomplishment with those around me.  I cannot wait to use my project for its intended purpose and every time I see it or use it I again feel pride and joy in what I have made.  So, if that is how I, an imperfect sinful human being, see my handiwork then how must God view me?

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

I am God's handiwork.  He made me! Created in Christ Jesus to do good works.  I am made to do good! Good works that God prepared me in advance for me to do.  I am made just the way I need to be made to do just the things God has given me to do!  Such a simple truth really, something I know I heard in many sermons throughout the past thirty odd years, but this morning it was like a lightening bolt from above leaving me thunderstruck and shaking.  And then God spoke soft and quiet,

"Those simple little snowflakes left you breathless and awestruck.  Why oh why are you so hard and down on yourself when you are so much more amazing than them?"

And that still small voice humbled me and cut me to core in a mere space of a breathe.  How wrong I have been to think that I was a disappointment, a failure, a mistake, that I could never be enough to do anything more than just make it through.  I have believed the lies of this world and made them my own truth.  This morning God revealed them to me to be just what they really were...lies.

I am GOD'S handiwork!!!  I am CREATED by GOD to do just what He has given me and it is GOOD works!!!!  And in CHRIST JESUS God made me to do these things.  I am NOT alone in all I do.  Christ is before, behind, beside me and always with me.  I am not made a failure, but prepared in advance for my good works!!!!  God is proud of me, made me knowing full well what I would face and creating me perfectly to meet abundantly those tasks through the power of Christ Jesus.  I am God made and God approved!!!!

My friend reading this...YOU are God's handiwork, YOU are created in Jesus Christ to do GOOD works, GOD has prepared YOU in advance to do those good works!  You are enough!!  You are God's pride and joy, His created handiwork!!!

Abba,

May we never forget that we are your handiwork.  As your creations you take joy and pride in us, each and every detail.  You planned us and created us in advance to do all that you would lay before us.  In Christ Jesus we are enough, we are more than enough, to do the good works you have for us.  Write these words of truth upon our hearts, burn it into our beings so that we may never forget them and thus open ourselves up to believing the lies of this world again. Amen and Amen.