You Are My Masterpiece: Embracing Our Identity in Christ

By Commissioner Colleen Riley

When was the last time you looked in the mirror and truly appreciated the person staring back at you? For many of us, the mirror reflects insecurities, flaws, or the endless to-do lists of our lives. Yet, God sees something profoundly different. In Ephesians 2:10, we are reminded: “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.”

This truth—that we are God’s masterpiece—is a declaration of our worth and identity in Him. It’s an invitation to step away from worldly comparisons and into the beauty of being uniquely and wonderfully created by the Creator of the universe.

A masterpiece is a work of outstanding artistry, skill, and effort. Artists pour their time, vision, and soul into creating something truly special. When God created you, He did not work off a template or rush through the process. Psalm 139:14 tells us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Every part of you—your strengths, quirks, personality, and even your struggles—was intricately designed by God for a purpose. He didn’t create you by accident or mistake; He created you with intentionality and love. Like an artist signing their name on their best work, God’s fingerprints are all over you.

In today’s culture, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. Social media feeds are filled with highlight reels that make us question our own worth. But remember this: no two masterpieces are the same. Comparing yourself to someone else is like comparing a Van Gogh to a Monet—both are breathtaking in their own right but were never meant to be identical.

When we embrace that we are God’s masterpiece, we can stop striving to fit into molds that were never meant for us. Instead, we can celebrate our uniqueness and focus on fulfilling the good works God has planned for us.

Being God’s masterpiece doesn’t mean we are without flaws or that our lives are picture-perfect. In fact, many masterpieces undergo a refining process. As believers, we are continually being shaped by God’s hands.

Isaiah 64:8 reminds us, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Sometimes this shaping process involves challenges, pruning, and growth. But every stroke of God’s hand is done out of love, with the goal of making us more like Christ.

Even our brokenness can become part of the masterpiece. Just as a stained glass window is made of shattered pieces, our lives—when surrendered to God—can reflect His light and grace beautifully.

Being God’s masterpiece calls us to a life of purpose and impact. Ephesians 2:10 not only declares our identity but also reminds us of our mission: to do the good works He has prepared for us.

These “good works” don’t have to be grand gestures or public achievements. They can be found in everyday acts of love, kindness, and faithfulness. Whether it’s encouraging a friend, serving in your community, or raising your children in the knowledge of God’s love, these moments are where God’s masterpiece shines.

When we embrace our role in His plan, we step into the fullness of who He created us to be.

One of the most beautiful affirmations of our identity as God’s masterpiece comes from 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Through Christ, we are not just made; we are remade. Our flaws, sins, and failures are not the final word on our story. In Jesus, we are renewed, transformed, and given a fresh start. Just as an artist can take a blank canvas or even a damaged piece of art and create something breathtaking, so too does God work in us, making us reflect His glory.

If you wondering how you can live out the the truth that you are God’s masterpiece, try some of these things to help remind yourself:

  • Speak Life Over Yourself: Replace negative self-talk with God’s truth. Instead of “I’m not good enough,” declare, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
  • Spend Time with the Artist: The more time you spend in prayer and reading God’s Word, the more you will understand His love for you and His plans for your life.
  • Serve Others: Sharing God’s love with others allows His masterpiece in you to inspire and bless those around you.
  • Celebrate Your Uniqueness: Thank God for the gifts, talents, and personality He has given you. Lean into them and use them for His glory.

The beauty of being God’s masterpiece is that our value is not tied to worldly measures. Trends fade, opinions change, and earthly achievements are temporary. But our identity in Christ is eternal.

When God looks at you, He doesn’t see imperfections or failures. He sees His beloved child, redeemed through Christ and destined for a purpose. Rest in that truth today, and allow it to transform how you see yourself and how you live.

Sister, you are God’s masterpiece. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, His love for you is unchanging. Let go of the lies that tell you otherwise and walk confidently in your identity as His treasured creation.

Take a moment to reflect on the Artist who made you and marvel at His handiwork. You are fearfully, wonderfully, and purposefully made. Let your life shine as a testament to the One who calls you His masterpiece.

February 2025 Newsletter

You are Priceless! You are Loved! That is the theme of this month’s newsletter.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:18 NLT

Included in this month’s newsletter is a devotion, prayer idea, conversation starters, and a Bible reading plan that focuses on the immeasurably great love God has for us. Also included are “Identity Statements,” verses that proclaim who you are in Christ for you to memorize, meditate on, and claim in your life.

Download this month’s newsletter:

You are Priceless! You are Loved! And as Micah Tyler reminds us, there’s never been a moment that we haven’t been loved by God

February 2025 Devotional: Pieces

By Captain Isabella Green
Wrangell, AK Corps – Alaska Division

Based on the song “Pieces” by Steffany Gretzinger

The summer I turned 18, I started dating a guy I was convinced would be the one. He was a Christian, he loved children and wanted a family, our life goals lined up, and we shared the same calling. He on paper, was everything I was looking for.

But the summer ended, and our relationship turned into a long-distance one. I would write him letters every day. Pouring my heart into them. Drawing little pictures and sharing all that I had going on. I never got letters back. I would call him often, eager to hear his voice and share about my day. I would wait in my room, counting the phone rings as I waited for him to answer. I left a lot of voicemails sitting in that room.

As the months passed, I heard from him less and less. The phone calls that did get answered became shorter and shorter, and the texts less and less. Finally, around Christmas time we were reunited. My family drove 6 hours in Alaskan winter to meet him, spending a weekend near where he was staying so that we could have time together.

I was so eager, so excited to see him. And when we met up, my heart soared. The months of hurt and being ignored got tucked away and ignored. He was here, and everything was going to be okay.
But I would grab his hand, and he would let mine go. I would wrap my arm through his, and he pulled away. I would smile at him, and he would look down. The pieces of my heart crumbled a little more each time.

The weekend ended, and we went our separate ways again. I did not hear anything from him the day I left. Nor the day after, nor the day after that. A week later, his name lit up my phone screen as he called me. The call was short, and simply informed me that he felt he had been leading me on for months now, that his feelings were no longer there, and that it would be best if we broke it off. His name never showed up on my phone again, and the pieces he left me in were scattered on the floor.

He left me in pieces, after only ever offering me pieces of himself. Pieces of his attention, pieces of his affection, pieces of his care. Just enough to string me on, to keep me looking for more, but never enough to truly make me feel loved.

It was in the season of picking up my pieces, that I learned Gods love never comes in pieces. As I stumbled into the goodness of God, heartbroken and hopes for the future shattered, I found myself enveloped in a love so strong and so deep, that it covered me in totality.

God picked up the pieces and put me back together again. Patching me up in a beautiful new design. Still me, but stronger. Still me, but with an understanding of what it truly means to be loved.
God loves in totality. He loves unconditionally. He loves without care of if others have deemed you unlovable.

Romans 5:8 tells us that, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

His love for us is so deep, so true, that before we even knew Him, He died for us. Before we could ever choose Him, He chose us. When humanity was separated from Him, He sent His son to destroy the divide. And in His death the divide was shattered, left in pieces, allowing us to be truly whole in Him.

God does not love in pieces. He does not give us only part of himself. He gives us His all. He loves in totality and pours into us from a cup that never runs empty. His love is true, pure, and unconditional. It is given, without care of if we are worthy of it or not. It is there for us in the darkest valleys of our lives. And it is there for us when everything is going right.

God’s love for us is always there, even when we are not seeking it out. And at just the right moment, it will come crashing down in a mighty wave, overwhelming and washing out everything else. Every sense of doubt, of anger, of hurt, gone in the great wave that is His love. In His fullness, He will sweep the pieces up, and patch them back together again. Stitched up by His love and left new, ever more beautiful than before.

His fully given, unrestrained, and unconditional love, will leave us overflowing with a love so pure and true, that we simply must share it. His love is never given in pieces and will never leave us in pieces.

February 2025 Craft: You Are Loved Heart

By Captain Serina Woods
Haines, AK Corps – Alaska Division

Supplies Needed:

  • Cardboard for each person 8 x 11 (recycled cardboard)
  • Puzzle Pieces (500 is what I used)
  • 1 Big heart and 1 small heart (patterns included in the downloadable instructions)
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • X-Acto Knife
  • Red Spray Paint – fast drying
  • Cutting board or large cardboard piece
  • Cardstock for banner

Directions:

Before craft preparation

Step 1: Print out hearts – one large and one small for each person (Pattern included in the downloadable instructions below).

Step 2: Print Banners using cardstock (I used Baguet Script – 48)

Working on craft

Step 3: Glue big hear to cardboard, cut out big heart around out edge.

Step 4: Cut out small heart and glut to big heart, center it. Then using X-Acto knife to cut out small heart. This will create a frame heart.

Step 5: Glue puzzle pieces to frame heart making sure some pieces are a little off the frame on both the outer frame and inside frame as as close to each other as possible.

Step 6: Place more puzzle pieces on top of the first layer to make it a double layer. Put glue directly on to puzzle pieces. Let glue dry for 10 minutes.

Step 7: Take fast drying spray paint outside in a shallow cardboard box. Spray heart piece two times. Allow time for first layer to dry. (Optional spray some pieces a different color for a top color).

Step 8: Turn over to glue banner on to back of frame

Download printable directions and templates:

As you craft enjoy this song by Riley Clemmons, Loved By You:

February 2025 Bible Study: You are Loved

By Major Jennifer Erickson-King
Anchorage Citadel, AK – Alaska Division

Supplies Needed:

  • Bible (Any Translation)
  • Journal / Piece of Paper
  • Mirror
  • Pen / Pencil with Eraser

Scripture Verses:

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.” Psalm 139:14-16

Take a moment and look at yourself in the mirror and who do you see? What do you see?

Do you see yourself in the mirror as God sees you?

God sees you as His beautiful and loving daughter, created in His perfect image. You are beautiful. You are amazing. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by His own mighty hands. There’s no one like you on this earth. You are special. You are unique. You are truly loved

In your journal or on a piece of paper, write down all the beautiful and wonderful characteristics, qualities, and talents that God gave you and only you. And also write down your thoughts when you know that God truly loves you. That you are truly loved by our Creator. When we think about all the beautiful and wonderful characteristics, qualities, and talents that God gave us, I believe that we will be truly amazed by His creation, in us. As we all know, our fingerprints are unique to us as individuals.

In fact, the National Forensic Science Technology Center states that, “no two people have ever been found to have the same fingerprints — including identical twins.” Also, it’s important to keep in mind that fingerprints also vary between your own fingers — this means you have a unique print on each finger. But, more importantly, we were created by God, in His perfect image. We are His daughters. We are His children. We are His.

Isn’t this amazing? I really think so. How we were created in special ways that no one else is created like us. Even the details of our hair on our head is that He is the only one that knows how many strands of hair are on our head. Isn’t that also amazing? In Luke 12:7, it says, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” You are loved.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Unlike our love, God’s love is free. What this really means is that there were no conditions God saw in us when He set His love upon us. God didn’t love us because we were lovely—that wouldn’t be free love. God loves us because He loves us (John 3:16). Nothing constrains his love. Nothing will ever change that. Because we are His lovely daughters created in unique ways. More than anything, the Bible tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He isn’t just loving, but He is the very definition of love, true love. He loves us because He created us. His affection is unconditional. He both generates and demonstrates love — and that love endures forever. (Psalm 100:5)

Each day is a beautiful gift from God. I am reminded how blessed we are and to take every opportunity to minister to each other in ways that He shows us, to be open to leading of His Holy Spirit in us and through us. I am also reminded to live my life fullest for God and God only; to spend every moment worshipping, glorifying, praising, and honoring Him in every aspect of my life. To spend quiet times with Him, to read His amazing, beautiful, and living words, to never stop praying for everyone and everything, to make joyful noise unto Him, and to always give thanks for all His blessings in our beautiful lives.

You might wonder if God really and truly loves you? You might also ask yourself, why me? Why does God love me? With all my past mistakes, with all my wrongdoing, and with all my faults? I’m not good enough. I’m not worthy. I’m a sinner. We may have many reasons to wonder and question. But the answer is YES! YES, God loves you for who you are. Because you are His. And He doesn’t want us to stay where we are. In Matthew 6:33, it says; “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” He wants us to draw closer to Him, to deepen our relationship with Him, to be thirsty and hungry for His word, and to be more Christlike each day.

“To love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second commandment is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” which is found in Matthew 22:27-29. When we truly realize God’s love for us and how much He desires us to deepen our relationship with Him. We will feel and we will know His amazing and unconditional love for us. We know the true meaning of love, loving Him, loving others, and knowing that we are loved by Him.

Next time that you look in the mirror, know that you are His beautiful and loved creation. You are enough. You are amazing. You are a gift from God. You are beautiful especially in His sight. You are God’s original work of art. You are beautifully created. You are His. YOU ARE LOVED!!

GOD IS ALWAYS:
B
est
Everlasting
Amazing
Unconditional
Trustworthy
Inspirational
Faithful
Unwavering
Loving

YOU ARE:
Beautiful
Enough
Awesome
Unforgettable
Talented
Incredible
Fabulous
Unique
Loved

Enjoy the song, “I Am Loved” by Mack Brock

Scripture Verses and Quotes on “Love / Loved”
“If God planned you for me and me for you, then nothing can separate you from me and me from you.” (Mark 10:9)

“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14

“Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

“Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.” (Khalil Gibran)
“Life is the flower for which love is the honey.” (Victor Hugo)
“Intense love does not measure, it just gives.” (Mother Teresa)
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
(Lao Tzu)
“The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. And the best time to love is now.” (Rick Warren)

Download a printable version of the Bible Study: