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For we are God's creation. He created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we might do the good works he prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10).
This verse is currently occupying my thoughts a great deal, especially when I read the previous chapter:
“For he chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to live a holy and blameless life, a life lived in his presence and filled with his love” (Eph 1:4/ NGÜ).
Even before God created the universe itself, He had already chosen me and prepared something for me. A good work that I can only perform through rehabilitation in Christ. When I think about it like this, I get goosebumps. Because God is simply incredible—incredibly great. Greater than I could ever possibly imagine. Based on this verse, it is therefore not irrelevant what I do in "my life." Since I am still quite young, I give a lot of thought to my professional future, as well as to God's calling for me to serve.
After school, I initially wanted to study art because it fascinated me immensely. But due to special circumstances, God spoke to me, and that's when I first got down on my knees and asked God what He actually wanted from me.
So, after graduating from high school, I went to Canada for a few months and had my first encounter with God there. It wasn't like Paul's experience of Jesus appearing to me, but rather a moment similar to what Elijah had experienced. Peace and quiet – solitude – and then God came. That turned my whole way of thinking and my life upside down. After long hours of prayer, during which I really had to wrestle with God, I finally began to ask what His plan for my life actually was. And then came this verse, which shows me then and now how much God loves me: "For even before the creation of the world..." At that moment, I simply had to surrender and let Him take the lead.
Ultimately, I first trained as a nurse, which showed me in various ways what it means to serve. Looking back, I can say that God definitely wanted me to learn this profession so that I could learn to serve…
I'm now continuing my studies so I can work in a school. But it's completely different from what I imagined a few years ago. Now, I feel God and His presence beside me during every exam. I'm simply certain that I'm walking in God's ways, and that's why I can wake up in the morning full of hope and face challenges with Jesus with heavenly peace. Last year, I decided with Jesus to go into missionary work because His Word urges me to serve on the mission field. Interestingly, I'm now going to Africa and will be able to serve there in the profession God has given me.
This is like a miracle to me, because God's plans are so wonderful and He has seen much further into the future than I have. The verse in Ephesians is, so to speak, my guiding verse, because it ultimately expresses what this commitment means to me: God's work that I am called to carry out.
In English, creation is called a "masterpiece," meaning a work of art or an incredible creation, which fills me with wonder. God, our Creator, is still creating works of art, and I am grateful to be one of them.
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" (Ephesians 2:10/New Life Translation).
At the same time, I also see how dependent I am on Jesus, because only through Him do I become a new creation. And this also includes an obligation – because God has prepared good works. But in order for me to do them, Jesus must first update me!
For me, this is always a path of humility – what is important in my life is not what I desire, but because Jesus is my life, He also determines what I desire…
Kristina Bertram
Municipality of Ulmen