God had been drawing them to Him from the time they were children, both desperately in need and longing for a father. Long before they knew Him, He’d been at work in their lives. The Lord had promised those who believe that He would take away the stony, stubborn heart; give them a tender, responsive heart; and put His Spirit in them so they could follow Him.
How many times over the last three years had Grace watched Roman in wonder as she witnessed the fulfillment of that promise? She had seen that same astonishing transformation in others as well. Shanice, once a party girl, now a pastor’s wife; Aunt Elizabeth, embittered and cynical, unable to love, now at peace, an affectionate aunt and granny, unafraid to open her heart to others. Grace’s own life had begun with a childhood of fear and violence, and an aunt who couldn’t bear to look at her, but felt duty bound to fulfill a sister’s wishes. The nighttime visitor had opened her heart to the Lord, though it had taken a painful journey to learn He was trustworthy.
Shanice studied the painting. “The longer you look at it, the more you see. Everyone is calling it a masterpiece.”
“It is wonderful. It’s the best work Roman has done so far.” An overwhelming joy filled Grace. “But it’s just a shadow to the real one.” Roman would understand what she meant. “It isn’t what Roman’s done, Shanice. It’s what God has done in Roman.” She took her friend’s hand. “It’s what God has done in my life and yours, and Aunt Elizabeth’s and so many others we know.” Tears filled her eyes as Grace felt the future open before her, like a door to life and hope and the never-ending life Jesus offered them. “We’re all God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ.”
Shanice squeezed Grace’s hand. “For His good purpose.”
“When I look at this painting, I’m amazed at what God has done.” Grace glanced over her shoulder at Roman and Brian, in conversation with Tuck Martin. Roman caught her look and smiled at her before refocusing on the two men talking.
Even here and now the Lord was working on another masterpiece.
DEAR READER,
Writing The Masterpiece has been a long journey. The characters and story have morphed several times, as seems always to be the case when I write a novel. The questions that started the project had to do with how childhood trauma can impact an adult life. It seems our culture is filled with damaged people from broken homes and relationships. I wanted to explore two individuals and how traumatic childhood experiences impact their adult thinking and behavior. Can they have a normal life? Can two broken individuals find wholeness together? With Christ, all things are possible, but what if faith is lacking?
Grace came to faith at a young age, but Christians aren’t perfect. We’re in a spiritual battle all our lives with an active, cunning adversary: Satan. I wanted readers to see how easily we can fall into traps and be seduced by worldly philosophies. Even when we are saved by grace, we suffer consequences. God comforts us, loves us, and shows us the way to walk through this life.
Roman had to learn the hard way. Some people have to go to hell before they can see or hear the truth.
The prevailing cultural view seems to be everyone will go to heaven no matter what they’ve done or not done or what they believe. Advocates of this belief say God is love, and there is no hell. In truth, Jesus talked more about hell than He did about heaven. Research showed me there are near-death experiences that are not full of light and joy, but are horrific and terrifying.
It is absolutely true God is love, but a text taken out of context is a pretext. God is also just. He is holy. He is righteous. Sin brought death to Adam and Eve—and to all of us. This life is not all there is. The wages of sin is death, and hell comes after. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sins, in blood, so that we can be saved out of death into life eternal in heaven with Him—if we believe in Jesus’ work on the cross. It is a matter of choice. Believe and be saved. Reject Him and spend eternity in hell. Jesus has done everything needed to keep us safe, to give us a future and a hope. Jesus did not come to enhance our lives. He came to save us.
This is one of the reasons I wrote The Masterpiece. It isn’t only about two broken people trying to find wholeness together. It’s about where wholeness can be found for each and every one of us. In Christ Jesus. No place else.
If you want to know why you are here, what you were meant to do, where to find love that lasts forever, and what the meaning of life is, seek the Lord. He has all the answers you need. “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).
Francine Rivers