We conclude our worship series, Artisans at The Table, this Sunday as we reflect on the masterpiece of our own lives. Erwin McManus writes, “Life becomes a work of art when we live it not for ourselves but for others. We live and tell our story, and through it we carry the hope of the world. The masterpiece is a life lived with courage and faith, with integrity and intention, with love and passion. We know we’ve seen a work of art when a life inspires us to be more—to live more fully and authentically” (The Artisan Soul: Crafting Your Life into a Work of Art, 172).
Outline of Artisans at The Table
September 7 Soul based on Genesis 2.7 & Exodus 2.1-15
September 14 Voice based on Genesis 3:1-11a
September 21 Image & Craft based on Matthew 3.13-17
September 28 Masterpiece: A New Humanity based on John 2.1-11
Read John 2.1-11. Jesus took ordinary water and turned it into extraordinary wine.
Erwin McManus writes, “If we look at our lives and wonder why all God gave us was water, we can find solace in this: if we want to experience the wonder of turning it into wine, we have to start with water. The longer I live, the more grateful I am that I started with such low expectations about the life I would live and what I would accomplish. Even when it came to my journey of faith , the lack of expectation echoed in every room I entered. The first words I heard on the night I publicly surrendered my life to vocational ministry were my mother’s , when she gave me a warm embrace, then looked me sadly in the eyes and said, “What in the world is God going to do with you?” Frankly, she only gave words to the question that was already rumbling inside my own head” (The Artisan Soul: Crafting Your Life into a Work of Art, 179).
Consider some of the ordinary parts of you and of your life. What ordinary parts of you (water) might God be turning into nothing less than a masterpiece (wine)?