There was a time in my life when I used to write poetry. It was my way of expressing my feelings especially during times of struggle. Perhaps many of you remember having to examine poems as part of your English class curriculum in school. For some, studying poetry was a torturous exercise as the poet at times used words that made no sense and the struggle was to figure out the meaning behind the poet's intent. It's been a long time since I have written a poem but were you aware that God writes poetry everyday? Paul states in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV) The word "handiwork" has been translated in some Bibles as "work of art" but in the Greek the word is "poiema" from which we get our word "poetry." In Christ, God is writing a beautiful story in our lives. What is God's purpose in doing so? Paul states, "to do good works," but not in some haphazard way that figuratively speaking has no rhyme or reason. No, these good works are prepared by the Master Poet in advance for us to do. The Creator of the universe knows us and gives us gifts and talents through His Holy Spirit to accomplish His will. It's amazing that God would take the time to prepare good works in advance for us to do like the poet who carefully puts together each line of the poem.
We Are A Living Expression Of God In Christ
The poem is an expression of who the poet is, their thoughts, hopes, and dreams. Thus, in Christ, we are a living expression of who God is when we commit to following Christ and obey His word. We don't have to scratch our heads trying to figure out what God's intent is when the Bible is our guide. Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:18-20, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV) Furthermore, in Matthew chapter 5, Jesus calls us the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" and states, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 NIV) The same "good deeds" that God prepared in advance for us to do with the end result in bringing glory to God. We come to recognize a poet by the type of poetry they write in their own unique creative style. We are God's poetry in motion that others may come to recognize who He is in the way we live out our love and commitment to Him as well as our love and care for others in Jesus name.
Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Sheree
