masterpiece

Grace, gratitude, life, Scripture, thankful

Posted on October 20, 2025 by Dewayne Taylor

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

I’m not much of an art fan but with that said, sometimes I am just amazed. That amazement peaked when we recently visited the British Art Museum in London. Admittedly, some of the pieces made me wonder how they made the cut, but others left me speechless. Some of them were so detailed they resembled a photograph rather than an oil painting. Add to that the fact that they were hundreds of years old, and the term “jaw-dropping” comes to mind. One thing is sure—the art is as varied as the people who paint it.

To me it is hard to believe that Picasso and Rembrandt are both considered masters. Both are held in high acclaim and yet they and their work are totally different. Picasso’s later works, at least from this art critic, appear to have been drawn in a kindergarten classroom. Amazingly he didn’t always paint this way. In his early years he was a masterful realist in his work. What happened? I think he got bored and went artistically berserk. And people now love it. Notice that word “now” because “then” they didn’t. His masterpieces became masterpieces mostly after the master had died.

I frequently find myself thinking about how incredible it is that according to God…and because of God…you and I are a masterpiece…a true work of art. In case you missed it, the scripture reference is Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Isn’t that just an incredible thought that the God of the universe holds His children—you and me—in such high regard?

Now it is only because of God! It certainly is not anything that we have done…not because of any of our own merit–it is just amazing grace. Sometimes people will say you are “a work of art” and you just know it isn’t exactly a compliment. It is like Picasso’s work pictured above–not exactly a masterpiece—in my eyes anyway. With apologies to his fans, I just can’t figure how he became famous for his artwork. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I’m just saying…

I know sometimes maybe our lives look more like a Picasso than a Rembrandt but just remember–often–beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in this case that is God. When Jesus comes and gives us new life, we become this beautiful new creation. The great part is that His opinion is the only one that matters. It doesn’t matter what your spouse says, your kids say, or even what you say. Nope, in Christ you are a masterpiece because God has declared you so.

One thing I know is that we must determine who we are going to listen to. Will we listen to the worse critics of our life…those whose spiritual gift (they think) is demolition or the One who died for us? Hmmmm….not too hard of a decision, is it? Why is all this so important? Because as we understand how God views us, we begin to live as the masterpiece we are. We begin to live and understand that we are created in the image of Creator God and He thinks very highly of us.

Not once has God ever taken a masterpiece off the wall of His gallery of grace and declared it unworthy or junk. Never has, never will. And the reason is simple. We are who we are because of Whose we are. We are what we are because He has made us so and He just doesn’t make mistakes. So today, rest in the declaration of your Dearest Father that you, yes-you, warts and all, are a masterpiece. Rest in the full assurance that even if your life looks like a Picasso, His grace can rearrange the squares and make you a Mona Lisa. How? Because He’s got you and He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Scripture, travel, wisdom

The Copyist

Posted on December 26, 2024December 19, 2024 by Dewayne Taylor

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Ephesians 5:1

There he was in the middle of the National Art Museum. Well, my wife Judy and I recently returned from a great trip to our nation’s capital—Washington D.C. It all happened on a whim when a hotel we had stayed at in 2017, that is smack-dab in the middle of everything including the White House, Washington Moment, all the war memorials, the Smithsonian just to name a few, was on super sale. We decided to go see Washington at Christmas. We loved it. The weather was definitely tolerable and somehow being snuggled up in a coat and hat just added to the atmosphere.

We had three and half days of sightseeing—taking in so much history and frankly it left us very proud to be citizens of this great land. One of several things we visited was the National Art Museum. We loved looking at the beautiful works of art that filled the walls of the museum. We were able to get up front and personal and just marvel at the detail of the many works of art—almost all done with oil on canvas. As I was looking at one particular piece, I was amazed. The figure, a lady, wore several rings and the detail of each one was incredible. How could any one do this? How could anyone see this and not believe in a creator God that made the makers of the masterpieces? Well, that is beyond me.

When we entered one gallery, a man was setting up and was preparing to paint, to copy one of the masterpieces. Oh don’t worry, it wasn’t illegal in fact it was encouraged. The museum has a program called, “The Copyist Program” that allows an artist to attempt to recreate a masterpiece. We struck up a conversation with this gentleman. It turned out he had retired eight years ago and only then did he take up painting. He was about halfway through copying this particular piece of art having worked thirty hours with another thirty or forty to go. Two things were clear. First, he definitely had a talent or gift for painting and second, when he was done he would have his own masterpiece.

The goal of the copyist is to as closely as possible copy the work of art. There was no place for his own interpretation…no, he was to copy the original master. Then, and only then, would he be successful. My wife Judy thought of it first. She said, “That is exactly how it should be with us and Jesus. We are to be copyist and be as much like Him as possible.” She was exactly right. The goal of every Jesus follower is to be like Jesus…not our personal interpretation of Him but rather as He is. Anything else is, well, wrong.

Paul put it this way in Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” In other words, in our actions, our speech, or thoughts, our beliefs we need to imitate Jesus. There is plenty of room for our personal interpretation in this world but in His world—there is no room. So, as we journey in life, let’s live like our copyist friend, let’s seek to imitate, to copy Jesus so that as far as the world can see—there simply is no difference. If it sounds challenging, that’s because it is—in fact it is beyond us but don’t worry because it is not beyond Him. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful, Trials

More than a Chunk of Rock

Posted on January 11, 2024January 6, 2024 by Dewayne Taylor

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Day after day, it laid there. In the Florence, Italy cathedral courtyard, a massive chunk of beautiful marble rested for nearly a century. Now wait—think about that. Not a few months or even several years, but for ten long decades. Amazing. It turns out a sculptor had been commissioned to create something and had made a mistake leaving the stone deemed unusable. Surely over those years, hundreds of people walked by the piece of marble seeing nothing useful. “What a waste,” they would say. And then, one day it happened.

In 1505, a young sculptor named Michelangelo (does that name ring a bell?) discovered the neglected piece and saw something that no one else saw—potential. While others saw its flaws—he saw a masterpiece. Over the course of three years, he diligently worked to transform the marble. He worked to bring out a masterpiece—an impressive 18-foot-tall sculpture of the young shepherd boy David. That single statue not only defined his career then, but five hundred years later, it remains one of the world’s greatest masterpieces. Many people even visit Florence, Italy to view it in person.

That is an amazing story, isn’t it? But think about this. Much like Michelangelo with his marble, God too sees potential—not in a chuck of stone but in people—people like you and me. Where others see waste and failure, God sees more. He sees a masterpiece. I love what Paul wrote in the New Testament letter to the church of Ephesus. He wrote, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” On my—isn’t that marvelous. And just to think—you thought you were a mistake. You thought you were junk. You thought you were destined to lie in the rubble of life because someone told you that you could never be anything more. You just listened to the wrong voice.

The right voice is the voice of Creator God. Some call Him, “Dearest Daddy.” He encounters us in our brokenness, lost and in need of refinement. When we place our faith in Christ, God begins the process of sculpting us, methodically chipping away at our imperfections to shape us into the image He envisions.

How about that? Now remember, this process is rarely comfortable or easy, but it is always worth it. If you ever wonder what in the world God is doing in your life, I can tell you the answer. He is making you like His Son, Jesus. Someone said God doesn’t always make us happy, but He is always working to make us holy. So, let me encourage you to trust the masterpiece maker. Let me encourage you to allow Him to work and bring development to the masterpiece that you are. The job of the marble is simply to be available to the Sculptor…who does a mighty work with His skillful hands. You can do that you know because, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne

If you receive the email version, there’s more! To view this post with the graphic included, go to http://www.gritswithgrace.com.

Family, fear, Grace, gratitude, life, prayer, Scripture, thankful, Trials

I’m Not Believing It

Posted on March 1, 2023February 28, 2023 by Dewayne Taylor

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

In my opinion, it said more than it knew. After my enrollment in the program to send me down the path to a medicine and diabetes free future, they sent me a box full of treasurers. I wrote briefly about my treasure box in a previous blog titled, “Bread, Potatoes, and Pecan Pie.” If you missed that one, you might want to go to www.gritswithgrace.com and check it out. Anyway, the box was filled with gadgets that would monitor me, my body, and my health. Most of them I found helpful and even engaging but there was one…there was one that I did not like.

I am an Apple guy…well, not necessarily the kind you eat but the kind you use for work and information. I own an Apple computer, an Apple iPad, and an Apple Watch. One of the things I like about owning the same brand in my work and life tools is that they talk to one another. Well, when my box of treasures arrived, it included a Garmin activity tracker. It kinda, sorta does the same thing my Apple Watch does but with a different platform. It certainly is not an Apple Watch, but I figured I might as well give it a try. Not willing to give up my Apple friend on my right wrist, I strapped the Garmin on my left wrist.

I know, I know, that sounds a little wonky and honestly it probably is but the Garmin looks and works very differently from my Apple Watch, so most people don’t think I am wearing two watches. In fact, they probably don’t think anything about what’s on my wrist. While the Garmin the device itself is not much to talk about—it is small, hard to use and blah—the app it talks to on my phone is very cool. In fact, somehow it provides much of the same information as its big cousin.

One day I was going through the App, checking out the different screens and all the information it had gathered and analyzed. I was impressed…until I wasn’t. You see, there was a screen that listed about ten different areas and measurements—all about me and my body. Most were fine, most were informative but one—one was downright offensive. It is called, “VO2 Max.” According to the app, the VO2 Max is a direct indictor of my level of fitness and apparently my “body age.” How this wimp, too big for its britches, something that doesn’t even know me (you can tell by now that I was personally offended by this useless chunk of plastic), I am out of shape and, get this, physically almost a decade older than I really am.

That’s right folks, according to the Garmin I am physically in the bottom 30% of men for my age and my body age is not 69 but 78. Ok, I’m still mad and here’s why. This out of shape, “ten years older than I am” guy, on the day after the assessment, took a brisk (as in pretty fast) two mile walk, walked 11,419 steps, burned 2,451 calories, and climbed eight flights of stairs. Now from where I sit that isn’t too bad…certainly I am no couch potato. I mean what does this thing really know about me anyway? And just for the record, my Apple Watch has another opinion about me…and so does my Dearest Daddy.

When I read those words, I knew I was faced with a choice. I could believe what it said or believe what I know to be true. I could believe what some formula, probably written by some guy in a faraway land, or believe what my reality says. I am choosing the latter. Now let’s be honest…I’ve got lots of room for improvement, but I am not some physical loser. I just don’t believe it. The Garmin caused me to take a look, a close look, at where I am physically but it also caused me to take a look spiritually. It caused me to ask, “So what do you believe about you—what others say or what God says?”

On the surface, it is a no brainer—I choose to believe my Dearest Daddy. He calls me (and you) a masterpiece…no, really, He does. In Ephesians 2:10, His Book, the Bible, says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Now, how about that? Trust me on this one. There are plenty of people and plenty of things that are just waiting to tell you what you are or are not. But you remember this—there is only one opinion that matters and that comes from the One who made you. So, I my wear the Garmin but I don’t own its opinion of me…I’ll leave that with the One who loves me more and perfectly. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Family, forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, life, love, Scripture, thankful

Gallery of Grace

Posted on November 15, 2022November 14, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

Ephesians 2:10

I’m not much of an art fan but with that said, sometimes I am just amazed. That amazement usually happens when I am watching one of several travel shows on PBS. Invariably, wherever they are traveling they visit an art gallery. And one thing is certain. The art is as varied as the people who paint them.

Now it is only because of God! It certainly is not anything that we have done…not because of any of our own merit–it is just amazing grace. Sometimes people will say you are “a work of art” and you just know it isn’t exactly a compliment. It is like much of Picasso’s work–not exactly a masterpiece—in my eyes anyway. With apologies to his fans, I just can’t figure how he became famous for his work. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I’m just saying…

Family, friends, Grace, gratitude, life, loving others, Scripture, thankful, Trials

Pickup Offer

Posted on April 19, 2022April 18, 2022 by Dewayne Taylor

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

I needed a truck. They say that there is one thing better than owning a truck. It is having a friend with a truck. A while back, Judy and I needed some new chairs for our patio. We found what we wanted at a not-so-local home and garden center. There were two problems. First, the store was located exactly 36.6 miles from our house. The other problem was the fact that eight chairs were not going to fit in our little car.

We used to have a van and that served as our pickup truck. While it wasn’t too manly, it did get the job done. But now we have a little car. The little car is zippy, and the little car gets 42 miles per gallon, but the little car will not carry eight chairs. The fact of the matter is the little car will not carry one chair. I had a problem. I needed a truck. Fortunately for me I have a friend who has one. He’s also the kind of friend you can call at 2:00 am and he will come. He’s the kind of friend who would loan me his great, big, shiny pickup truck.

I called, he said yes, and soon Judy and I were on our way to pick up the pickup. I had ridden in the truck before but never driven it. It was a big, manly truck which probably explains why I ran over six curbs in the first five miles. Judy, with some effort, climbed into the passenger side and I, with some effort, climbed into the driver’s side. Instantly something happened. As I slid behind the wheel I felt like John Wayne, Bruce Willis and Iron Man all rolled into one. Watch out boys, here comes “the Duke.”

I felt manly. I found myself looking down at people in lesser vehicles to see if they were looking up at me and admiring my manly throne on wheels. They weren’t. But the bottom line is when I climbed into this massive hunk of raw steel, I felt more. Bigger. Stronger. Almost invincible. Somehow, what I was riding in changed the way I saw myself. Let me say that again. What I was in changed the way I saw myself.

It was just about then that I realized the massive truck I was riding in was a lot like Jesus and me. You see the Bible teaches us that if anyone is in Christ, they become a new creation. Everything in the past is past and everything becomes new. While climbing in the truck didn’t change who I was, it did make me see myself differently. Jesus goes one step further. He not only makes me see myself differently…He in fact makes me different. Climb into Jesus and things change—you change. You become a new creation.

It gets even better. In Romans 8:1, Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” No condemnation. That means all the sins are forgiven and all the charges have been dropped. I stand before the Judge knowing that I can’t be condemned. He wrote the law, passed the sentence, and then paid the penalty. The Judge paid the price for my sin. That is amazing.

So, if you need a truck, I hope you have a good friend…the kind you can call at 2:00 am…the kind that will loan you his big, shiny truck. But when it comes to a Savior, well, you can’t borrow that; you need Him for yourself, personally. And the best part, He is just waiting for you to call. He’s just waiting to make you new…to make you a masterpiece. He’s just waiting to be there for you. And all that stuff, the worry, anxiousness, fear, uncertainty, doubt, insecurity, and a bunch of other stuff you’ve been carrying…just toss it in the back of His truck and let Him carry it. You just rest in Him. He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

forgiveness, Grace, gratitude, love, Scripture, sovereignty of God, thankful

Exhibit Now Open

Posted on November 2, 2021November 1, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Family, Grace, gratitude, life, love, loving others, prayer, Scripture, thankful

Same Kind of Different As Me

Posted on September 13, 2021September 12, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

Opposites attract. I’ve heard that all my life and I think it is true…well, at least sorta. I mean, take my wife Judy and me. In a lot of ways, we are similar. We both like to eat…though I prefer dessert and she prefers food. We both love traveling and adventures. We both love Jesus. We both love to serve people. Oh, and we both love each other. So, there you go…but wait, in some ways we are different. We recently went on vacation. She packed her bag and I packed mine. Let me rephrase that. She put…some would say dumped, clothes in her suitcase, sat on it, and closed it. As for me, well, I neatly organized each item and even sorted them by the function and when they would be used. We are sometimes different.

You can see that difference with our phones too. If you look at Judy’s phone you will see that the inbox of her email account has 28,246 emails…and I’m not kidding. On the other hand, my inbox has about 10 emails in it. In her case, it is a system for keeping and in my case, it is a system for filing. Hers is “Welcome home and stay as long as you like” and mine is, “In you come and out you go.” She invited the relatives to move in and I invite them to stay…for just a while. And then there are the little red dots.

On the iPhone, when there is something that requires action, a little red dot appears on the screen. The dot stays there until you do something about it. Well, Miss Judy’s screen on her iPhone looks like it has a case of measles. There is a red dot here, and here, and here, and here, and oh, here too. Now on my iPhone, dots are not welcome. When one appears I almost immediately stop what I am doing to find out what it wants me to do. You know how when you are growing up and some people get acne, and some don’t? Well, my phone is the one that doesn’t.

Now, all this is well and good and there really isn’t a right or a wrong…unless of course you can’t see the screen for all the dots. No, the Bible makes it clear that each one of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. Each one of us is a jewel…a masterpiece. Some like a full inbox and some like it empty. Some are organized and some, well, are not quite as much. Smile. But here is what we need to remember…especially in relationships…especially in marriage. Someone once said that if both people in a marriage are exactly alike…well, one of them isn’t necessary. In any relationship…and especially in marriage…diversity is a good thing…a needed thing.

But wait…it’s not just in marriage…it is true with the team at work. It is true with the people you worship with. It is even true with the team you play with. Diversity adds depth. Diversity adds richness. When we start feeling comfortable to associate with those who are different from us; when we start embracing others, even though we don’t always agree, a strength develops, and we all become better for it.

Judy and I have been married now for 45 years and people frequently tell us how much they appreciate the example we set in our marriage. Well, first, let’s be honest. That is largely because I married up when I married Judy. But beyond that, well, we have learned and are learning to appreciate our differences. There was a bestselling book and later a movie about two men from backgrounds that could not have been more different. And yet, over time, and with no small thanks to Jesus, they became friends. The impossible became possible. The book and later the movie were entitled, “The Same Kind of Different as Me.” Read the book, it will inspire you.

I think that means that in spite of the fact, that they were incredibly different, there was something that overpowered their differences and that was love. They both discovered Jesus and that led them to share Christian love for each other. Paul, the guy who wrote a chunk of the New Testament said it like this, “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” The common denominator of love strengthened their lives and their friendship. It worked there and I can tell you it will work in whatever world you live in. We will become stronger and better when we learn to accept ourselves and others for who God made us. Need a little help? No problem…He’s got that. Bro. Dewayne

Grace, gratitude, life, love, Scripture, thankful, wisdom

Mona Lisa

Posted on April 5, 2021April 4, 2021 by Dewayne Taylor

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

I wonder if he really knew it? I’m talking about Leonardo de Vinci. He was the painter of the infinitely famous “Mona Lisa.” It has been called “the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world.” Now by any standard that is a masterpiece. It was finished around 1517 and is likely the portrait of Lisa Gherardini. Its name “Mona Lisa” would translate to Ma’am Lisa. I’m glad her name was Lisa or else we would have Mona Hazel or Mona Gertrude. Nice names but, well, you know.

But did he know it? I wonder if de Vinci realized what a powerful masterpiece he had created? Did he know the way he captured her smile, or the light would captivate the world? I suppose that in his lifetime the painting was appreciated but did it make it to rock star status? But there really is a bigger question. Did she know it?

Did Mona Lisa know that the portrait of herself was a masterpiece destined to be the most valuable painting in the world? Did she know that her slightest of smiles would capture the hearts of men and appreciation of women? Did she ever look in her mirror and see herself for what she was, a masterpiece?

Can I ask you a question? What do you see when you glance in the mirror? Do you know that the someone staring back at you is as valuable as the Mona Lisa? Do you know that even though you are not famous in the neighborhood, you are famous in the halls of heaven? It’s true.

Ephesians 2:10 is one of my absolute favorites. It seems to pop up over and again in Grits. It says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” You see an artist far more talented, far more substantial than Leonardo de Vinci created you. He carefully applied stroke after stroke and then stood back, looked at His work, and declared you a masterpiece. Declared you, yes you, a masterpiece.

Don’t ever doubt this. You are what God declares you to be. Don’t let a glance in the mirror, don’t let a harsh comment from a friend or critic, don’t let an act of unkindness steal that away. You are a masterpiece. Don’t let your crazy circumstances, your empty portfolio, the nameless brand of your clothing, or your street address, steal that away. You are a masterpiece.

In our bathroom, we have two small tiles with a few words on them. They are small in size, but the words are massive. Here is what they say, “It is not who you are that holds you back, but who you think you are not.” There is real truth and freedom in those words. So, if you are haunted by the thoughtless words of someone in your life and you are living that lie…today is freedom day. Today is name change day. You are not an accident, a mistake, or junk. You are a masterpiece. God says so.

As we move on after a fabulous Easter Sunday, remember this. Each time you worship, Easter or not—in church or not, you are praising Someone who thought so highly of you that He died for you. He.Died.For.You. And then, like whip cream and cherry on a sundae He adds a description, “masterpiece.”

God bless you today. The weather guy said it is going to be a beautiful day. It’s gonna be a great day for a masterpiece like you to step outside and enjoy what the Master Creator has made–just for you. Enjoy this day and rest in Him. No matter what…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne

Scripture

Got a Truck?

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Dewayne Taylor

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

I needed a truck. They say that there is one thing better than owning a truck. It is having a friend with a truck. Judy and I needed some new chairs for our patio. We found what we wanted at a not-so-local home and garden center. There were two problems. First, the store was located exactly 36.6 miles from our house. The other problem was the fact that eight chairs were not going to fit in our little car.

We used to have a van and that served as our pickup truck. While it wasn’t too manly it did get the job done. But now we have a little car. The little car is zippy and the little car gets 42 miles per gallon but the little car will not carry eight chairs. The fact of the matter is the little car will not carry one chair. I had a problem. I needed a truck. Fortunately for me I have a friend who has one. He’s also the kind of friend you can call at 2:00 am and he will come. He’s the kind of friend who would loan me is great, big, shiny pickup truck.

I called, he said yes, and soon Judy and I were on our way to pickup the pickup. I had ridden in the truck before but never driven it. It was a big, manly truck which probably explains why I ran over six curbs in the first five miles. Judy, with some effort, climbed into the passenger side and I, with some effort, climbed into the driver’s side. Instantly something happened. As I slid behind the wheel I felt like John Wayne, Bruce Willis and Iron Man all rolled into one. Watch out boys, here comes “the Duke.”

I felt manly. I found myself looking down at people in lesser vehicles to see if they were looking up at me and admiring my manly throne on wheels. They weren’t. But the bottom line is when I climbed into this massive hunk of raw steel, I felt more. Bigger. Stronger. Almost invincible. Somehow, what I was in changed the way I saw myself. Let me say that again. What I was in changed the way I saw myself.

It was just about then that I realized the massive truck I was riding in was a lot like Jesus and me. You see the Bible teaches us that if anyone is in Christ they become a new creation. Everything in the past is past and everything becomes new. While climbing in the truck didn’t change who I was it did make me see myself differently. Jesus goes one step further. He not only makes me see myself differently…He in fact makes me different. Climb into Jesus and things change—you change. You become a new creation.

It gets even better. In Romans 8:1, Paul writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” No condemnation. That means all the sins are forgiven and all the charges have been dropped. I stand before the Judge knowing that I can’t be condemned. He wrote the law, passed the sentence and then paid the penalty. The Judge, paid the price for my sin. That is amazing.

Why stop now? Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship [His masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Whoa. Masterpiece? Created for good works? You see, the truck made me feel like more but Jesus made me more. Now don’t start getting all puffed up thinking you did something to deserve this. It’s all Him. The only thing we do is climb in and that happens only because we believe. That’s it. Faith alone. So, if you need a truck, I hope you have a good friend…the kind you can call at 2:00 am…the kind that will loan you his big, shiny truck. But when it comes to a Savior, well, you can’t borrow that; you need Him for yourself, personally. And the best part, He is just waiting for you to call. He’s just waiting to make you new…to make you a masterpiece. He’s just waiting to be there for you. And all that stuff, the worry, anxiousness, fear, uncertainty, doubt, insecurity and a bunch of other stuff you’ve been carrying…just toss it in the back of His truck and let Him carry it. You just rest in Him. He’s got this.