Something to pass down to the next generations

By Don Schin

Do you ever have issue with your own worth? If I’m honest, I have to tell you I have. For a long time—even now sometimes. So as I’ve come across some very powerful messages about this recently during my devotion, prayer closet time, I felt strongly about sharing it with you. And about the importance of sharing this generationally.

Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are God’s masterpiece… The dictionary defines masterpiece as a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship. Synonyms are words like wonder, showpiece, gem, and prize.

These are all wonderful, so now look at WHO the craftsman is: God, the Creator of the Universe. The craftsman can’t get any better than that! Look at all He has created! And WE are called MASTERPIECE (Ephesians 2:10). Us. You. Me. I am God’s masterpiece. You are, too. Let that sink in. Seriously pause before you read further. Meditate on it. Focus on the deep meaning here. Make it personal in your meditations: I am God’s masterpiece, wonder, showpiece, gem.

When I personalize this, it literally gives me chills. It’s so hard to imagine. Who am I to think of myself as a masterpiece? Satan certainly doesn’t want me to, and pretty regularly feeds me those deceptions and lies. And yet if I believe that there IS a God, and one that created the universe, this is all true! Its true about ME! And its true about YOU!

So what comes along with this? Uniquely being loved unconditionally. Unparalleled grace. Reconciliation with the Father by sending His only Son. Gifts selected just for us, before we were formed in our mother’s womb. A purpose. A purpose that only we can fulfill! Me, little old me, has a purpose and gifts to fulfill it from the Creator of the universe.

Again, I absolutely can’t grasp it. But I’m going to try. As Dr. Stephanie Foster wrote, “We were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly placed on this earth.” Think of how special we are! He thought of US, yes US! He decided what my individual purpose should be and then gave me the gifts and talents I need to complete it. 1 Peter 4:10 says, God has given me a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

I want to close with a couple of things. What exactly should we pass down?

First Thing, how to feel. WE need to show others how we are comfortable feeling, God’s masterpiece. Your children’s, grandchildren, and grandchildren’s children and grand children should all feel very special and loved. They are already God’s masterpieces and most of them aren’t even born yet! And as grandfathers, we should always make them not only be aware of this, but we should make them FEEL like it. God EXPECTS us to extend His love for us to others. There is no better place to start then with your own family. Again, Dr. Foster writes, The extent to which we love ourselves shapes how fully we can love others. So start with yourself, then sharing with the next generations that it’s right to feel like this, and then make them feel it, too.

The second thing: We need to pass down to the next generations, to seek THEIR purpose in life. Finding it. And subsequently, finding great peace and fulfillment being in alignment with God.

Lastly, again from Dr. Foster, “Our optimal fulfillment will come from being who I was created to be.

You are God’s masterpiece. Pass it on!

Don Schin has extensive global experience in Asia with Fortune 500 companies. He speaks fluent Japanese. After stepping out of the corporate rat race 23 years ago he now owns a franchise broker and consulting company. Don is a seasoned professional speaker and writer, authoring the book, Can you Relate?, sharing a map of his most successful years in business, so others can experience the same. Don is active in his community where his time is devoted to men’s groups, local churches, and non-profit boards including recent past chair of the Bethesda Mission, the largest rescue mission in Harrisburg, PA. He also served as the chaplain for an AA baseball team via Baseballchapel.org. Don enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, of 45 years. They have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

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