30/10/2026
Grab a warm cup of coffee and let's stroll along through the grand halls of a museum from right where you are sitting. As you slowly gaze at the breathtaking pieces, I want you to step back and let your hearts soak in a sweet reflection on God's word in Ephesians 2:10.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Adorned with a Purpose
When we think of the word adorned, our minds usually dwell on things like our favorite necklace, a touch of lipstick, or that one beautiful dress that makes us feel special. We naturally adorn things that have deep value to us. We decorate our homes to make them feel cozy and welcoming with throw blankets and pretty dishes and silverware. But today, let us lean into a different kind of beauty. We aren't talking about how we dress ourselves up for the world to see or who has the best tablescape for dinner. Instead, we are looking at how God has uniquely adorned us for His purpose.
You didn’t just happen to show up here today by accident, and you certainly weren't put together by chance. You have been meticulously sculpted, piece by piece, by the Creator of the universe.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
As I was studying this verse in the two different versions, God gently revealed how much of His warmth, truth and adoration was woven into this one sentence.
I love looking at the original Greek language here, because the word for workmanship is poiema. This is where we get our English word poem and poetry from. As a poet, they don't rush, and they don't randomly put words onto a blank page. Every line, every pause, and every single word in a poem is chosen with intention to convey deep literary emotions. Our Creator adorned you in that exact same way. From our unique voices, our individual quirks, or our deepest passions to even the fragile, winding paths of our brokenness. These are simply the deliberate brushstrokes of a painter; The creator of that canvas.
I grew up completely falling in love with French art. I used to study and dream about seeing gothic and renaissance pieces, neoclassicism, romanticism, and one of my absolute favorites—Impressionism by Degas or Renoir. Each of us here is a walking piece of art just like those classic pieces I’ve dreamed of seeing in real life. So far, I haven't made it there myself due to very strong motion sickness. In fact, my own sister in law got to see the Mona Lisa in person when she went to France the other year and when she texted me a picture of it, I just cried. Knowing that she was standing right there in front of this exquisite piece of history that I’ve only seen and read about in books, brought so much emotions. I was not physically there, but I still had a connection through her to the painting. That’s how much you mean to our Creator. Your life is a gallery of God's faithfulness, intricately sewn together to show the world exactly who He is. He didn't rush your design, but intentionally clothed you in His righteousness, fruits of the spirit and unique spiritual gifts to prepare us for the work ahead.
So heart check: Who is the artist of you? Who is your creator? Did we forget? It is God. Since He is the wonderful Artist wrapping our lives in a canvas of grace, the Poet holding all our joys and sorrows, and the Sculptor gently shaping our plans and purpose, He can do so much through us. We just need to let Him in, rest in His love, and softly say yes to wherever He leads.
Notice that the verse states these good works were “prepared beforehand” or “in advance.” Long before you ever took your first breath, God went ahead of you. He laid out a custom blueprint fitted to exactly how He embellished you.
So no matter if we are in our homes, at the work place or a grocery store--These are our missions fields. It's not JUST praying for our children, encouraging a co-worker or smiling at a stranger, all these moments are God moments. It's is where you are meant for the mission walking in His purpose, anchored in His grace, and reaching out to a world in need.
So, what does it truly mean to live Adorned for His Purpose?
It means you have to stop trying to wear someone else’s calling. How often do you look at another woman’s beautiful gifts—her hospitality, her leadership, her stage presence—and try to squeeze ourselves into her "outfit"?
When you look at another woman's gifts instead of your own, you miss out on seeing how our Creator has wonderfully adorned you, for the micro assignments He has set forth on your behalf.
My prayer today is that you will stop trying on someone else’s clothes or shoes. You are beautifully adorned, deeply loved, and entirely on purpose. Let your life be the next inspiring Mona Lisa (Leonardo de Vinci) or The Dance Class (Edgar Degas) for spreading the Gospel and rest in the stunning canvas of who we are in Him.
-Scripture reflection MN-WI WMU annual meeting 2027. (blog form)
