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My Masterpiece

Jesus BeckonsMy sons were playing at a basketball game. I seemed to be surrounded by fat little fat kids. Zombified by their devices. Grimy little hands digging into bags of chips. One after another. Little particles cascading down everywhere.

I’m not going to sugarcoat this. Sometimes you have to just face your unconverted self. You have to stand before God without your disguise. Be before Him and others, not as you’d want them to see you, but as you really are. So, here I am! And I have to say it took everything in me not to lean over and say in a calm, matter-of-fact voice: “You know what? You’re fat. Really fat. You don’t need a snack. You don’t think it makes a difference. I have to tell you, Jabba the Hut started out like you. Look where he ended up.”

So, smugly amused by these ugly thoughts, the Holy Spirit began speaking in my inmost spirit: “Now that I’ve got your attention, let me tell you something. There’s no love without truth. I love you. You’re fat. Really, really fat! Filled with so much junk. And you’re constantly pigging out on so much stuff! Seeking to be satisfied by everything else! How’s that working out for you?”

My eyes were opened. He allowed me to see the bags of “chips” in my life. My pigging out. So many different forms. One after another. And He showed me all the “devices” in my life. All the times and ways I’m pining for fulfillment where it can not be found.

And into this ugly, spiritual cesspool of my soul, He clearly spoke these words: “You want to know what you really are? You want to know what I really think of you?”

YOU ARE A MASTERPIECE
You don’t need a snack.
You don’t need a drink.
You don’t need to be filled with junk.
You don’t need that new thing.
You don’t need to be stimulated.
You don’t need to check.
You don’t need emotional turmoil.
You don’t need the bad memory.
You don’t need self-contempt.
You don’t need the whispering lies.
You don’t need the abuse.
You don’t need to retaliate.
You don’t need the anguish.
You don’t need to be admired.
You don’t need to be consulted.
You don’t need to be included.
You don’t need to run.
You don’t need to hide.
You don’t need to make excuses.
You don’t need to be needed.
You don’t need to be the savior.

Turn it all into prayer.
Turn to Me.
Rediscover your Master.
Be Mastered.
I will give you self-mastery.
Be My Masterpiece.


Greg Schlueter is an award-winning Catholic film producer, writer, speaker and movement leader. He is President / CEO of Image Trinity, a Catholic, non-profit organization committed to families living their identity and mission (http://ImageTrinity.com), and it's ecclesial outreach, Mass Impact, which is committed to parishes becoming dynamic communities of missionary disciples (http://MassImpact.us). Greg lives with his wife and six children in Toledo, Ohio.