9-7-2024

Good Morning All,

    Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

     I am always fascinated by talented people.  We have attended the Arts in the Park in Aberdeen or Brookings on occasion and there were some amazing displays of talent.  There were woodworkers and free hand sketch artists; there were leather workers and photo artists; just a whole host of people who made intricate and beautiful items.  The workmanship was flawless and the talent very apparent.  Some talent must be seen to really be appreciated.  A cowboy at a rodeo who ropes and ties a calf is a fine workmanship.  Some talent is best tasted; a master chef whose delicacies seem to melt in your mouth.  Some are heard; a musician who makes an instrument sing in either a joyful tone or a sorrowful lament can make one shudder.

    There is an old story about a violin that is being auctioned off at a farm sale.  The auctioneer holds it up and tries to get a bid of $2.  There are no offers.  He lowers it to $1 then he offers to give someone a dollar if they will bid a dollar.  Then a quiet man comes to auctioneer and asks to see the violin.  He strums it and he turns the pegs a little.  He then takes the bow and plays the sweetest sounds that anyone there had ever heard.  He gave the auctioneer back the violin and the bidding began.  First it was $50 then $250 then $500 then $1000 then it sold for $2500.  When the auctioneer was asked why the sudden change in its value; the auctioneer replied,” it was all in the touch of the master’s hand.”

    You and I are the same way.  We have no value.  But God, who is the master craftsman of the universe, takes us in his hands and makes us his workmanship.  God is continually shaping and molding us into his craftsmanship into his disciples.  Just like that violin, we need to be tuned and brought back into key with the right tone and the right sound.  Then we need to be played with the talent of the master violinist.  In Isaiah we are compared to clay and God is the potter.  No matter what imagine you use, God is, in a very hands-on way, shaping you to do the works which He has laid out for us to do.  God gets his hands dirty in order to save you. God prepares you for the opportunities to witness which come to you.  God prepares you for the opportunities to bring glory to His name when they come to you.  We may fail at these; we may not see God’s hand in our preparation, but it is there, always present, always guiding, redeeming, sustaining, and giving life. And we need to trust in Him to give us the tools to do His work.

Dear Father, we often fail as your instruments and tools; for we fear when we should be strong, we hesitate when we should go forth.  Forgive our sins.  Give us the courage to be your people, to be your hands and to be your light in this dark and wounded world.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret