A couple of years ago, I was given a set of two paintings by a Louisiana folk artist, the daughter of a former slave, named Clementine Hunter. At first glance, these paintings did not seem very special. They were quite rudimentary in their style. In fact, they looked a lot like something my children could have painted. They were in their original frames, which were worn out and rough with use. And to be honest, the subject matter of the paintings (scenes from plantation life) seemed offensive and embarrassing. So I accepted the gift graciously, but I placed the paintings in a back guest room in an inconspicuous spot where no one would be likely to see them.
Recently, however, I saw a television show where folk art was being valued for insurance. Some of the paintings on the show were similar to the ones I had, and they were being valued for several hundred dollars. I immediately thought of my own paintings and decided to do a little research. What I found astounded me. Other paintings by Clementine Hunter – paintings just like the ones hanging obscurely in my guest room – were recorded as selling not in the thousands, but in the TENS of thousands! “What??? Are you kidding me???” I thought to myself. I couldn’t believe my eyes. What I thought were just kitschy examples of folk art had turned out to be coveted, signed originals by a legendary folk artist. Far from being embarrassing, the subject matter of her paintings was regarded by critics as documenting history itself. And those old worn out frames, which I had thought about replacing many times, only added to the authenticity and the value of the pieces. Needless to say, the paintings were promptly removed from the back room and proudly displayed on the dining room wall. I now love these paintings and the story they represent. And I love telling the story of how I discovered their value.
The truth is, the paintings were always valuable, even when I was hiding them in my guest room. The fact that I didn’t recognize their value didn’t diminish it in any way. Just like those paintings, you too are an authentic original. Maybe there are things that you think are embarrassing or just unlovely about yourself. But God sees through those things at the masterpiece that you really are. Ephesians 2:10 says, in fact, that we ARE God’s masterpiece – His workmanship. Like a painter that creates with a brush or a sculptor that creates with clay, God created you with intentionality and purpose to reflect His glory in a unique and authentic way in this world. So don’t devalue the kind of masterpiece you are and hide yourself away. Come out into the open and let God shine His light on you and show you the value you have in Him.
Pastor Kerri, this is so good! Thank you for sharing your heart on this. It’s true, we can only have an accurate view of who we really are when we allow the One who created us to tell us the truth about ourselves. He says that we are valuable and claims us as His own!
Kerri,
That is SUCH a good tie-in to scripture! Thanks for this story! I’m going to share this with Lainey.
Whenever I feel unlike a “masterpiece”, I’ll think of your paintings.
Elisa
Kerri,
I’ve been home sick for over two months and the doctors at Mayo can’t seem to figure it out yet. I’ve been frustrated with them, discouraged, and wondering how in the world God is going to use me cooped up in this house, sick. Your message hit me like a bullet. Thank you!!
Karin– it’s a good thing our value doesn’t depend on what we do, but upon who we belong to. Praying for recovery, peace, and wisdom.
Liz, I have friends who can’t make it on Wednesdays…I see that the first Friday night message and the first Wednesday morning message are at celebration.org. Can last week’s and this week’s messages get up soon as well. They are so good!
Hi Pastor Kerri,
I have a few friends who are going through a lot of stuff right now, and have been beaten down so much that they can’t see their worth. I have been telling them that God does not want them to be so sad all the time, and they should lay their problems at His feet and continue to pray and trust God to answer. I love what you said about we are God’s Masterpiece, we are created unique. You just confirmed for me some things I have recently told my friends and myself. Thank you. I am personally thankful everyday that I am a unique, beautiful and loved child of the most high God. God bless you. I love you.
Hope– so glad you enjoyed the messages! We had a bit of a glitch this week, but they should both be up by Friday at the latest. Next week we should be back on track for having them posted the same week!
Granny always said “God doesn’t make junk”! He made us in His Image.
Kerri,
This really speaks to where I am today.
I was really beating up on myself (devaluing myself). Because it seems as if I keep going around the same mountain in an area of my life, wondering how in the world did I get here again…thank you because this reminds me that, “His love is as strong as death and as jealous and enduring as the grave.” No matter what!!
Satan’s goal is to get us to forget that God made us the way we are for a reason. He gets us to focus on our weaknesses so that we can never get around using our strengths. For example, he knows that if we envy others, we will never get to love them with Christ’s love. Don’t wish to be like someone else. Know that God was very excited to unleash you on this earth right after He created you, just the way He created YOU!!! Focus on your strengths. Remember than when we are weak, we are still strong in Him, Jesus, our Savior. Let’s show Satan that God our Father is still in control and that all his schemes are futile.
I love your heart-full views and appreciate any encouragement for the valuing of ourselves and others as Christ loves us to.