The Artist's Masterpiece

A thing of beauty is a joy forever; Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness.

John Keats, 1795-1821

It was the scent of honey, mingled with a roselike, citrus essence. It greeted me each time I stepped from my front door to my little, painted, green porch. It welcomed me home when I stepped from my car, as I walked the narrow path to enter my home. It was there when I walked through my yard and viewed my gardens. And the sweet scent even often made its way into my home's tiny foyer. Every spring, without fail, the air around my house was filled with the mysterious fragrance that brought calm, cheer, even a healing peace that lingered, causing anticipation toward each winter's end.

I belatedly discovered the source of the balmy aroma. Beside the little concrete path that winged its way from the side yard to the gated entrance of my back garden were nestled honeysuckles, mock orange bushes, and English ivy. The profuse greenery and white blossoms were a glorious abundance, a symphony, showering the walk with romance and expectancy as one approached the garden gate.

Such a symphony is God's creation. And it is tireless, trustworthy, always testifying of His faithfulness (Psalm 19:1-4). The witness of God's majestic creations, the sounds of rushing waters and cheerful larks, thunderous storms and crackling fires, the velvet texture of rose petals and the smooth skin of newborn babes, tell of His glory. Even the scent of fragrant flowers and the air of fresh rain give us sweet pause, reminding all of our Creator and the Giver of life.

And what is in the wonders of nature, which sing of God's majesty, is also found in every person who is His own special expression of love and glory. For we are His workmanship, created in Jesus Christ for good works (Ephesians 2:10). You, dear friend, sister or brother-in-Christ, are God's particular design, a masterpiece of your Master. A wondrous work of The Artist. No other of His designs is like you. Even the prints of your fingers tell of your specific frame. And being fashioned so skillfully, so meticulously, your Artist created you with such detail, so that your life could be one of purpose, of meaning, of value, having worth now in the temporal, and later in the eternal.

Part of God's lovely design for you includes a beautiful fragrance, one that diffuses "His knowledge in every place" (II Corinthians 2:14). Like the sweet scent of my mock orange and honeysuckle, your perfume permeates the air around you. It testifies of God's love and grace, working its way into the lives of others, drawing them to the beauty of Christ.

Because of the scent of Christ's grace in your life, you carry the knowledge of Him in every "place." And the Greek word for place in this instance is topos. It refers not simply to location, but to opportunity, occasions, circumstances. So, in all opportunities in your life, be it ones of joy, diligence, sorrow, patience, suffering, trials, tests, persecutions, health, illness, prosperity, want, or doors of ministry, you are the fragrance of Jesus Christ, spreading the essence of all He is, being the testimony of the All in All. You are a wonder of His workmanship, showing the world around you the wisdom and skill of His design. When the world sees you, they are viewing God's masterpiece, and others around you are always experiencing the precious fragrance of Jesus Christ.

I thank God for you today. You, His eternal work of grace and love, used as a vessel to infuse the world with Christ's beauty and the glory of all He is. May we all be that little piece of clay in His mighty hands, pliable, allowing our Artist to shape us into His work of beauty, making us a testimony of His glory. We are not worthy. But are we not grateful for God's mercy? Such mercy does not consume us but gives us salvation and allows us to be part of His eternal plan. He is Elohim, our Master Designer, and Adonai, our personal Master. Praise His name!

I moved to my present home in 2007. The place I wrote of in this piece was my home prior to the one in which I now live. I love my present home, a small English cottage, but I do so very much miss the gardens of my former ranch-style house. God willing, my dear husband and I will soon begin to create gardens for our present place. Thank you for reading. God bless you bountifully. You are special in His eyes. He loves you with everlasting love.

Scripture is from NKJV