Becoming a Masterpiece: How God Shapes Us Through His Word
Picture a master sculptor standing before a massive block of marble. With careful precision, he begins to chip away—first removing large chunks, then refining the details, until gradually a magnificent figure emerges. What was once rough and formless becomes a work of art, revealing beauty that was hidden all along.
This is the perfect image of our spiritual journey. When we first come to faith, we often arrive with rough edges and hard lines. But as we walk with Jesus and immerse ourselves in Scripture, God slowly forms and shapes us into who He created us to be. The beauty of this process is that we always have room to grow, always have more potential to be refined into His image.
Three Invitations to End Your Year Well
As the calendar year draws to a close, we find ourselves bombarded with year-in-review notifications. Spotify tells us which songs we played on repeat. Social media platforms compile our photos into tidy videos. Everything gets wrapped up in a neat digital bow, showing us a carefully curated version of our lives.
But here's the question worth asking: When was the last time you paused to consider what God has done in your life over the past twelve months?
The difference between an algorithm's summary and genuine spiritual reflection is profound. One shows us data points and highlights. The other invites us into transformation.
The Beautiful Transformation of Becoming a Servant
There's something profoundly countercultural about choosing to serve others in a world that constantly tells us to prioritize ourselves. Yet, when we look at the life of Jesus, we discover a revolutionary truth: greatness isn't found in being served, but in serving others.
Jesus himself said it plainly: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."