Last week we talked about a new piece of paper that reflects the possibility of starting fresh. We want so much to get it right. We constantly want a new piece of paper so we can try again. And yet, we continually find ourselves looking at an outcome that is less than we’d hoped. We can be like that toddler who stomps her foot, hands on hips and says, “I can do it myself!” We look at her with loving eyes knowing that her expectations of her ability aren’t the reality. We know that she’ll either give up or, hopefully, come for help.

We are wired to strive for a level of independence. From our first steps to our last, we want to be able to do things ourselves. It’s not easy for most of us to acknowledge our need for help. We want to try to get it right. It can be tempting to carry that over to our view of faith. God tells us in his Word that faith and salvation are a gift from him with no strings attached. “Thank you!” we cry out. And yet, we so soon follow that with a spirit that feels that our “getting it right” makes some kind of a difference in God’s eyes.

Today’s verses are such a clear and beautiful reminder of God’s grace for us. It’s not from us, not at all. It’s a gift. God just gives it to us out of love from him. He doesn’t want any hint of our role in our salvation. You want to boast? Boast about all that God has done for you.

Back to the piece of paper. When a talented artist or illustrator turns that piece of paper into a priceless work of art, it would be absurd to credit the paper. “Look what an amazing work of art that piece of paper created!” said no one ever. The credit and accolades go to the artist, the creator of the work of art.

God is our creator, our artist. He created each of us for a specific purpose. He gave you features, a personality, a set of gifts designed just for you but even more so, for him. He created you to do works, to accomplish things. However, those things are designed to give glory back to the artist, the creator—God. We can go about each day serving and showing love to others around us with the goal of sharing and reflecting God’s love and grace to everyone around us. It’s why we’re here—children of our heavenly Father who get to tell people about him in our words and actions. It doesn’t get us points. It gives us an opportunity to continually point to God.

[We] are God’s handiwork, created in Christ to do good works. What a joy it is to approach each day knowing that we get to serve, we get to share God’s message of grace, we get to reflect God’s love to others. Not because we need to in order to gain some kind of favor. Rather because everything we need for salvation is done. What a beautiful picture of God’s grace for us through Jesus.