God’s Masterpiece

Sept 8-9  Getting Along

What a great story!  I guess siblings don’t have to fight forever…

Here’s what I love about this article:  Do you hear how much Aubrey loves her brother?  Do you hear in her words how highly she thinks of him and how much she respects him?  Do you see how she was willing to let go of the things that focused attention on her to serve him instead?

Ephesians 2:10 says that “We are God’s masterpiece…”  My problem is that I don’t always treat people as though they are God’s masterpieces.  Sometimes, I treat them like they’re rough drafts – messed up and not worth a whole lot.

It’s harder to see God inside the members of your own family.  You are with them most of the time, you see every day the ways they mess up, and you feel very deeply the times they have hurt you.  But they are made in the image of God, just like you are.  They have value, just like you do.

Try something this week.  Write “God’s masterpiece” somewhere where you will see it often.  It could be on a school binder, in your locker, on a bathroom mirror at home, or even on your hand (if your parents are okay with that).  Each time you look at it, let it be a reminder that every person you see and interact with is God’s masterpiece.  Let that truth change the ways you talk to people.

The tips Aubrey mentions are incredibly helpful for strengthening all kinds of relationships, and the thing they all have in common is a willingness to actively love and serve the other person.  If you have a specific friendship that you would like to work on, try putting some of her suggestions into practice and place the other person ahead of yourself.  Give them the benefit of the doubt, even when they might not deserve it.  Listen when you would rather talk.  Fight for them and their honor when you would rather let them stumble.  At least on occasion, compromise your own ”wants” for theirs.  Learning to love well takes time, but these will help you along the way.