God's origami

We are [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.             — Ephesians 2:10

Not long ago, I attended a class in origami, where I learned that the term comes from two Japanese words that means “folding paper.” In this process, a piece of paper is transformed into a bird or other unique shape by a series of geometric folds and creases.

Our facilitator was Hitoshiro Akehi, a Japanese brother in Christ. As we folded our paper into different shapes, Mr. Akehi shared some of his life experiences. The youngest of 11 children, he was raised by his mother after his father died during World War II. Through many twists and turns, his family came into contact with missionaries. As a result, many of his family members became Christians.

As I refashioned a simple piece of paper into a beautiful new form, I thought of how God shapes us. First, He uses circumstances to bring us to our knees and to Him. Then, by grace He continues to use life’s twists and turns to reshape us into more Christlike persons, “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29).

Has your life taken an unexpected turn? Remember, in the hands of our Creator and Redeemer, we are “[God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10). We are His unfinished works of art. God can use the twists and turns in our lives to make us more like His Son. — Dennis Fisher

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay;

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still.             — Pollard

READ: Romans 8:22-30

Christians are God’s works in progress.

The Bible in one year:

• 1 Chronicles 1-3

• John 5:25-47