What is a masterpiece? Does Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Monet’s Water Lilies, Michelangelo’s David sculpture and the Sistine Chapel, or Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh come to mind?

Have you ever thought of yourself as a masterpiece?

The Definition of Masterpiece

A masterpiece is a work of outstanding artistry, skill or workmanship.

During medieval times, a masterpiece was judged by one’s mastery of a particular skill. A piece of work was submitted to a guild for the creator to qualify as a master.

You are a Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:10 says, “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.” (NLT)

A masterpiece is unique. There is only one Mona Lisa, David, and Sistine Chapel.

There is only one YOU.

Master Your Thoughts to be a Masterpiece

Don’t let this being a masterpiece go to your head in the form of superiority or arrogance. Do conquer thoughts of unworthiness.

You and I were created with unique gifts and talents to share with the world. Not everyone will resonate with the way we express ourselves. Someone else will.

Dealing With Critics

There will always be critics. Criticism done in love and honesty is valuable. Criticism out of meanness and being snarky is not. That’s why I find this Theodore Roosevelt quote to be invaluable: 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

The worst critic can be the one inside our heads that says, I’m not good enough. Who cares anyway? I’m too old. I’m too young. I’ll never finish this.

I’ve learned to dismiss those thoughts by telling them to be still. My writer friend Melissa Dinwiddie calls her critical thoughts Gremlins. She sends them out to get a pedicure. (Love that!)

Mastering these thoughts and letting them go will allow you to have joy and flow in your work and life.

Make Your Life a Masterpiece

God is not done creating. Every day there is a new sunrise and a new sunset. Each day is never the same.

Every morning you wake up to a new day, a new start. You get to create a life that becomes a masterpiece.

Are you a writer, artist, musician, craftsman? Introduce yourself below and say what it is that you create. I’ve met too many writers and artists whose masterpieces sit on their computers. Your work needs to be seen. There is someone out there who needs what you need to express. (Many someones!) 🙂 We need to support each other.

A Resource for Daily Encouragement

It’s easy to get discouraged. The creative life is not one for the faint of heart! If those thoughts of not doing or being enough consume you, my book, God Notes – Daily Doses of Divine Encouragement  is an easy way for you to receive encouragement each day through a simple word: Get a signed copy directly from my Joy and Flow Store, or find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Buy one for you and a friend that needs encouragement.

 

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