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Creativity is a messy wonder. Here are some pictures to consider:

  • Transforming a canvas into a painting
  • Working clay into a vase
  • Building or remodeling a sturdy and functional structure
  • Sewing a lovely gown
  • Cooking a gourmet dinner
  • Wording a captivating story
  • Choreographing a story-telling dance
  • Designing an inviting room
  • Beautifying with hair products and makeup
  • Putting on an engaging play
  • Upholstering a showstopping piece of furniture
  • Perfecting a musical piece into a moving experience
  • Taking and touching up stunning photos
  • Baking a delicious cake

When thinking about any of these masterpieces, images of a creative genius’ workspace filled with tools, materials, ingredients, and products may come to mind. It’s rarely a neat and tidy thing. Even items used to keep everything “clean, organized, and safe” create clutter. Drop cloths, aprons, painters tape, tins, bins, gloves, instruction manuals, baskets, toolboxes, cleaners, safety goggles, and trashcans are usually scattered about. It’s just messy. 

Adding to this chaotic vibe is the creative process itself. Which is usually a looooong, nonlinear journey of trial and error, learning, playing, adjusting, messing up, fixing and reworking. Sometimes it involves tossing and starting over…and over…and over…

In Ephesians 2:10, the Apostle Paul describes humans as God’s masterpieces. This verse is not pointing to the understood fact from Genesis 1:27 that we are created “in the image of God.” Paul says we are “created anew in Christ Jesus” (or just “in Christ Jesus” depending on the version) to draw our attention to God’s creative process of restoring broken and fallen humans back to their original design. “In His image.” This journey starts when a person enters into a relationship with Him and doesn’t end until Heaven.

But the creativity doesn’t end here. Scripture reveals another pet DIY project God has in the works. Like putting skillfully crafted stones together to form a building, He’s piecing us, His “masterpieces in progress” together to create an even bigger work of art referred to as “A Holy Temple.” Also known as The Body of Christ. Or The Family of God.

It’s a beautiful picture. But it has implications. Messy ones. Because no one is finished yet, wet paint, soft clay, sticky glue, unmixed ingredients, unsanded wood, unfastened pieces held with pins, wrong notes, and unedited words sometimes bump up against each other. Ugliness happens. No “masterpiece in progress” is exempt or above this. Which is why in order to protect every potential masterpiece in the room, we must listen for the Master Artist’s guidance for creating wide-open, safe spaces around one another in which He can do His shaping and crafting. Paul describes unity (that comes from following His leadership) as a sense of safety in being together even though we are messy, unfinished products. And he says in Ephesians 4:15-16 that this unity is dependent on each one of us allowing God to help us become as spiritually mature as possible.

Spiritual maturity can be an intimidating concept. But it’s not the same thing as having perfectly perfect behavior. In all situations. At all times. Nor is it a state of being flawless and faultless. While perfection is certainly God’s end goal for each of us, this finished product won’t emerge until heaven so we can just relax and take it off the table for now (Hebrews 12:23, Philippians 3:12-14 and 20-21).

Here’s how Scripture describes what a spiritually mature person this side of Heaven actually looks like. (CAUTION: Do not read the following as a list of goals to work on and master, but rather “fruits” of the Spirit one can experience while spending quality one-on-one time with Jesus.)

A mature Christian…

  • Is, oddly enough, childlike (but not childish) Matthew 18:3-4 & 1 Corinthians 13:11
  • Is dependent on God Proverbs 3:5-6 & John 15:4-5
  • Asks God for help in all things Philippians 4:6-7
  • Longs for God’s work of continuous healing, cleansing, and transformation Philippians 3:12-14
  • Spends a lot of time with Jesus, the evidence showing up as “fruit of the Spirit” John 15:4-5 & Galatians 5:22-23
  • Is so deeply rooted in God’s love that it spills out to others Ephesians 3:16-18 & Galatians 5:22-23
  • Doesn’t feel a need to prove themselves (is humble) James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5 & Proverbs 11:2
  • Is unassuming, recognizing they can’t know everything about people and situations Psalm 131:1-2 & 1 Thessalonians 4:11
  • Is teachable (feels free to ask questions and listen with an open mind) Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 1:5 & 2 Peter 3:18
  • Doesn’t take self too seriously – can even laugh at self  Romans 12:3
  • Takes God very, very seriously Isaiah 55:8-9
  • Is relaxed and restful in spirit Psalm 127:2, Psalm 23:1-3 & Psalm 127:2
  • Is not in a hurry Ecclesiastes 3:1, Isaiah 30:15 & Proverbs 21:5
  • Is boldly kind, gentle, and tender-hearted Proverbs 15:1, Matthew 5:5 Ephesians 4:32 & Colossians 3:12
  • Is a cheerful giver because they know God provides everything needed 2 Corinthians 9:7 & Philippians 4:19
  • Loves truthfulness and honesty in all things, seeing it as the path to freedom and healthy relationships Proverbs 24:26 & Ephesians 4:25
  • Is quick to apologize Proverbs 28:13 & Matthew 5:23-24
  • Can deal with conflict one-on-one using objective truth and sound reasoning Matthew 18:15-19
  • Sees no point or benefit in slandering, backstabbing, gossiping, or speaking disrespectfully about others – even when dealing with legitimate issues Proverbs 12:18, 18:21, Ephesians 4:29 and 31, Colossians 3:8, & 1 Corinthians 13:5
  • Sets loving boundaries as a way to determine how close a relationship can be and still  cleanconsist of healthy and sinless interactions Proverbs 4:23 & 2 Corinthians 6:14
  • Is not easily offended because they trust the work God is doing in their own and others’ lives Proverbs 12:16, James 1:19-20, Colossians 3:13, & Ecclesiastes 7:21-22
  • Forgives and lives with an overall spirit of forgiveness because they put problems in God’s hands to help them handle them  Mark 11:25, Luke 6:37, & Colossians 3:13
  • Doesn’t try to fix anyone (self or others) in recognition that God is the Master Artist Philippians 2:13
  • Does not expect fellow “works-in-progress” to be to them what only a whole (holy) God can be Psalm 118:8,  Jeremiah 17:5, & Isaiah 2:22
  • Is patient, making allowance for others’ legitimate weaknesses, limitations, mistakes, and brokenness knowing God can do great things in even the most difficult of situations Colossians 3:13-16

In other words, spiritual maturity is an acknowledgement of human imperfections (in self and others) and the need for God’s help and guidance to deal with them well. It’s what makes a “masterpiece in progress” safe for other “masterpieces in progress” to be around.

We don’t have to be afraid of or frustrated with the unfinished versions of ourselves or others. Even the worst of mistakes, hardest of trials, and most challenging of human conflicts can be shaped into stunning works of eye-catching art that reveal our Master Artist’s genius.  

His job is to make masterpieces. Our job is to let Him by giving in to the process ourselves, and then coming alongside, empathizing with, encouraging, and supporting our fellow “masterpieces in progress.” And allowing them to do the same for us. This is the best way we “fit” together and wind up looking like pretty stunning works of art.  

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 ESV

 

Reflection Questions

1. What does it look and feel like for a church to be an art studio where everyone is an unfinished masterpiece God is still working on? How does this understanding influence the things we do and ways we interact in a church as opposed to other places? 

2. Are there any "unfinished" things in myself or others that make me feel uncomfortable, afraid, or angry?

2. How does understanding that spiritual maturity is not always having perfect words and behaviors, but rather, a mindset about how to view and respond to "masterpieces in progress" influence how I handle "unfinished" things in myself and others?