We were designed for a unique purpose by a skillful artist. 

I recently had the opportunity to help backstage as my daughter served as a stage manager for her school musical.  One of the directors lovingly spent hundreds of hours creating many of the costumes and props that were going to be used.  

The director carefully handed out elaborate head-pieces and delicate accessories to the person who was going to wear or use the item.  I listened as she explained to each person her expectations for the care and use of the item she had given them.  She gave each student a specific box or bag to place their costume or prop in when they were not using it.  She explained that each item was to be treated with care and she would not tolerate abuse or intentional destruction of the items. 

In the course of time that the items were being used for rehearsals and the nights of production, many of the pieces broke or fell apart in one way or another.  As a student came to me to show me the problem, I would direct them to speak to the director about it.  After all of the very specific instructions she had given them for the care of their costumes and props, I assumed that she would most certainly fuss at them because their item had broken.  

Instead, she took each broken item and with great care, repaired what needed to be fixed.  As she worked, she did not admonish them for the damage to the piece she was repairing.   Instead, she encouraged each student in how well they were doing in their role in the musical and sent them on their way.  

I was amazed. 

I had assumed that this director was going to be mad because it seemed that all of her hard work was falling apart.  What I realized in that moment was so beautiful.

The director created each item for a specific purpose and she created it to be used and used well.  While she did give specific instructions for its use and care, that was only because she knew that the best way for each piece of her hard work to shine, was if it was being used for the purpose for which it was created.

Ephesians 2:10 says that “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.”    He lovingly created each one of us for a purpose in this life.  He knows we will shine the brightest when we are being used for the purpose for which we were created.  

As our creator, He gave the Bible, an instruction manual on how to do our job and how to take care of ourselves and each other.  God created us to be used and He wants us to be used well.   

He also knew that in carrying out our purpose in this life, that we would fall apart sometimes.  1 Peter 4:19 tells us that “if we are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” 

When we do fall apart, He very tenderly puts us back together again, reminds us of our purpose, and sends us back out to serve.