Walking in the Valley A bi-weekly column, featuring one Silicon Valley Christian's (a)musings on life's journey by Barbara Dahlgren

God's Masterpiece Column for the weeks of May 16-31, 2009

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Growing up poor in St. Louis, Missouri was not without some advantages.  Certain arts and educational perks were offered for free such as:  the St. Louis Zoological Park, home of the world renown zoo made famous by director Marlin Perkins who hosted the television series Wild Kingdom, The Muny which is the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor theater where we could see celebrities entertain us in summer stock, and the St. Louis Art Museum that houses collections, sculptures, and paintings by master artists such as Guaguin, Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse, and Titian.    

Once a year we could always count on a school field trip to St. Louis Art Museum.  My favorite painting was of Monet’s Water Lily collection. In retrospect, I believe these trips helped me develop an appreciation for fine art.  Years later, while attending college in Texas, we were given the chance to visit the Dallas Museum of Art.  Words can’t express my disappointment.   Of course, that was forty years ago and I’m sure it has greatly improved but their few abstract sculptures and minor paintings could not compare to those I was exposed to as a child.      

When in Italy a few years ago we saw some of the greatest art in the world.  The Vatican Museum located in Vatican City has fifty-four galleries, housing mosaics, sculptures, tapestries, and paintings.  Famous artists are displayed like Poussin, Titian, Raphael and, of course, Michelangelo’s Sistene Chapel.  In Florence we saw Da Vinci’s David sculpture at the Accademia Gallery and masterpieces by Botticelli, Ruebens, Rembrandt, as well as Da Vinci and Michelangelo at the Ufizzi.  I loved them all!    

On our Italy excursion we visited Venice.  In the midst of one of the most romantic cities in the world and a country filled with frescoes and masterful artwork from the Renaissance and Baroque periods was the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.  Since Guggenheim is not a famous Italian name I was intrigued, so decided to visit.  Located on one of the canals this museum was the home of deceased Peggy Guggenheim and exhibits her personal collection of major works of Cubism, Futurism, Metaphysical painting, European abstraction, avant-garde sculpture, Surrealism, and American Abstract Expressionism by some of the greatest artists in these fields.  Among others, works of Picasso, Calder, Dali, and Jackson Pollock are displayed.    

Not being a big fan of abstracts I still found the artwork interesting.  To me Pollack’s paintings always look like someone took a bunch of worms, dipped them in various colors, and let them squiggle around a huge canvas creating a big mess.  But art is in the eye of the beholder.  What one person considers beautiful, another considers unpleasant, odd, or for want of a better word – ugly.  However, both Pollack and Da Vinci are considered masterful artists.  Their works of art are worth more money than you and I will ever see.      

When I read Ephesians 2:10, I think about artwork because it says:  “For we are God’s masterpiece (NLT).”  As masterpieces go I feel more like a Pollack painting, a bunch of disjointed colors flaring here and there, than Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa with every hair in place.  All right, so she lacks eyebrows.  She is still considered the most famous painting in the world.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I’m glad because even though I may not think of myself as beautiful, God does.  After all, he calls me his masterpiece.   

Some translations use the word “workmanship” instead of masterpiece which gives the impression it is referring to physical attributes.  And it is true that as God’s creation we demonstrate his genius in every designed detail of our bodies.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 129:14) just like all creation which displays his handiwork like the heavens and sky (Psalm 119:1) or the lilies of the field (Luke 12:27). 

However, being God’s “workmanship” has deeper meaning than God bringing us into existence.  Perhaps that is why some translations use “masterpiece” and many commentaries refer to it.    Ephesians 2:10 says:  “For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus…(NLT).”  These scriptures are not referring to the physical creation, but the spiritual.  In other words, Jesus Christ living in us gives our lives the highest value.

As an analogy to art we are a work in progress that God is continually painting, sculpting and working on. He loves spending time with us and adding those finishing touches. We are valuable and important to God. However, he doesn’t wait until he is done to consider us his masterpiece. I know this because a valuable work of art is worth its weight in gold and Jesus bought me with a price (I Corinthians 6:20). He has already paid the highest price of all for me – he gave his life.

It matters not that I feel like a Jackson Pollock painting and have to spend some days just asking God to “bless this mess.” He loves me and can use me for his glory in spite of my flaws. His life in me gives mine value. I am God’s masterpiece – and so are you!

Be sure to visit this page often to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.