01/09/2025
What if the way God sees you is far more breathtaking than the way you see yourself?
Scripture says it plainly: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). That word “handiwork” comes from the Greek poiēma—literally “masterpiece” or “work of art.” And Psalm 139:14 reminds us, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
But then there’s that other thing Jesus said: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).
Which sounds great—unless the way you talk to yourself is crueler than how you’d ever talk to anyone else.
If your self-talk is always defeat, or if you only see yourself through the words of critics, then you’ll struggle to love others with the kind of grace God calls us to.
The truth is, most of the meanest, ugliest, worst-behaving humans I’ve ever met probably don’t think much of themselves either. And it makes me wonder: how would their entire approach to life—and to others—change if they truly believed they carried the beauty and worth God already sees in them?
And if you’re part of the “I love others by hating their sin” crowd, it probably means you haven’t reconciled the sin and accepted the grace in your own life. If you don't accept grace, how are you going to genuinely give it?
God’s love is supposed to flow TO us and THROUGH us—not AROUND us. Because when we detour around loving ourselves, we short-circuit the whole command to love others.
So pause for a moment. Think about that sunset. God paints skies that make us stop, take pictures, and share them with awe.
And yet, He says you are more wonderful than that.
His masterpiece. His image-bearer (Genesis 1:27).
If you believe that about the sky but can’t believe it about yourself, then maybe the next step of faith isn’t “doing more” for God—it’s learning to see yourself the way God already does.
And when you do? You’ll find it’s a whole lot easier to extend that same grace, dignity, and wonder to others. Because if they’re His masterpiece too,
