Shoulda Coulda Woulda

I shared this verse on Facebook and it really does make me stop and think.  So much is here.  And I think so many times we read over verses like this and just go "okay", "got it", "yep".  So lets sit here for a minute cause I think there is so much to unpack!

We are His workmanship. (ESV)

Other translations use the following verbage:  His own master work.  His Work of Art.  God's Creation.  God's handiwork.

I have heard it described as a masterpiece.  When you watch an artist or a sculptor begin a new piece, no one knows for sure what's being created.  Each brushstroke means something.  Each hand movement of clay bring change.  Each chisel of the wood reveals a new shape or design.

We are His Masterpiece.   Our life might seem chaotic at times.  Or even unknowing to us.  The answers are hidden.  The journey is long.  But when our focus is on us as His Masterpiece, we don't need to see the final picture, we trust the painter knows.  A workman has a degree of skill that can bring a product to complete.  We trust the sculptor is brillant with his hands in creation.  We trust when our focus is on the creator who knows our finished product.

Created in Christ Jesus for good works

Created to belong to Christ Jesus.  Our faith in Jesus Christ spiritually transforms us.  We are renewed.  Ready to be used by God.  You no longer truly belong to yourself.  You are a vessel that the Lord uses.  Ready for battle.  Joining Him in the work He is doing.  He defines those Good Works.

Which God prepared beforehand

This reminds me so much of Acts 9.  God was preparing Saul (soon to be Paul) for the arrival of Ananias into his home.  And you better believe it that God was preparing Ananias before that day to be willing to step up to Saul's door.

God is going before us.  He is preparing the way for his work.  Preparing the hearts of others to receive his truth.  And His Work is only going to work out well when we stick to His plan.

That we should walk in them

Oh, I love this!  These last few words are what made we stop.  I think many times we read this verse and we can get behind everything but this one little detail.  That we SHOULD walk in them!  Right here is where you come in.  This is your choice.  You have chosen God as your Lord.  God has created and chosen you for such a purpose as to share him with others.  And then here we are told we should walk in those works.

Paul is so brillant.  He isn't saying we are forced to walk in the goodness of God.  We aren't orchestrated through life without choice.  He is telling us what we should do.  Paul loves us and wants nothing but for each person who hears his God breathed words to be walking in God's goodness and works.  Paul's reminding us of our higher calling!  The powerful and pure life that we can have!  It's a choice!

You ever heard the phrase "shoulda, woulda, coulda".  Someone shares an opportunity with us.  Someone tells of the events of their life.  And were like "shoulda, coulda, woulda".  Is that what I want to be my tag line when I am faced with Jesus.  When I read that verse, he isn't asking the response to be "whelp, shoulda did that but I didn't it".

Good works is such a delicate word and so many people jumble it all up.  Good works that are God breathed are just that....God breathed.  He has gone ahead of them and prepared the way and is now calling you towards it.  It's His Work.  Not ours.

When we feel that knowing in our soul to reach out to someone.  When we hear a persons name over and over again and know that stopping to pray for them is necessary.  When we sit with someone in the hospital. When we build community and relationship with others.  Coming alongside mama's who feel less than worthy.  Speaking truth into people's minds and over their situations.  And this is just a small piece of things that God considers a good work.  A good work is stirred up by God.  It starts with God.  It starts with my relationship with him.  Speaking to Him through prayer.  Sitting in his presence.

When it's all said and done, are your words gonna be, shoulda coulda woulda.... or will you stand in confidence of your higher calling and say You chose to walk in them!  You chose Jesus!  You chose the powerful and the pure!  You chose to believe in God's workmanship!