God created the heavens and the earth, bringing order to the formless, thus revealing His power with a glorious display of beauty. He granted us oceans teeming with life, flowers of countless colors, stars and seasons in perfect harmony. And, as the supreme act of creation, He said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness (Genesis 1:26). What a privilege to have been created in the image of our infinitely creative God! Yet our creation was only the beginning of His creative work in our lives.

One of the reasons we do not see ourselves as God sees us is because we are only seeing the work in progress. God sees us as we are, sees us as He is forming us, and sees the finished product. Before the world began, He predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. And that is how we will enter heaven: as His transformed children.

If you ask the average person if they think God sees them as a masterpiece, they are likely to say you are talking to the wrong person. We tend to see our faults, failures, and sins, focus on guilt and the past. That is why we do not see ourselves as God sees us. The apostle Paul says that each of us is a masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). We are like beautiful tapestries that God is always working on. Ask God to help you recognize and appreciate the ways He is working in you.

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to see myself as you see me, a masterpiece created in Christ Jesus. Help me to believe from my heart that you are transforming me for your good works. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

1.    Genesis 1:26 (RVR1960).

The Encounter for today was written by: Rosina N.