Life to the Full: Your Story for God's Purpose

By Deb Marsalisi

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”—Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

When we look at ourselves through the lens of Scripture, we realize we’re far more than just people living aimlessly from one day to the next. The apostle Paul tells us in we are God’s “workmanship.” In Greek this word is “poiema,” a word from which we get the English word “poem.” It's another way of saying we’re His epic poem of creation.

We’re the product of His skilled, capable hands. Everything God makes is a thing of beauty; He only produces value. We’re His work of art; His masterpiece. God has intricately crafted each detail of our lives purposeful and intentional. Like a poet crafting each line of a poem, God has woven every moment of our lives into a beautiful narrative with meaning and direction.

The word “created” comes from the Greek word “ktizo,” which means to create something in a way that only God can. God didn’t redeem us simply to live an ordinary, mundane life. We were created with a specific purpose in mind—to live lives marked by good works that reflect His glory. He crafted us with a purpose in mind.

These “good works" are not the means of our salvation, but rather the natural result of salvation. As Paul reminds us earlier in Ephesians 2, we’re saved by grace through faith, not by our own works, so that no one can boast. The “good works” God prepared for us are not for our own glory, but for the benefit of others; to serve and bless those around us.

Think about a difficult season in your life, whether it’s a time of grief, loss, or struggle. How did God bring healing or growth through that experience? Do you know someone who might be going through a similar struggle? Reaching out to them with a word of encouragement or offering to walk through the difficult season with them is how we can show and share God’s love in action. This simple act could be the very thing that points them to the hope and redemption found only in the loving arms of Jesus.

In the tapestry of our lives, God has woven together moments of joy, sorrow, victory, and struggle. His story of pursuit, rescue, and redemption is reflected in our own stories. God allows us to use the pain and triumphs of our lives to help others, pointing them toward His healing and grace. We can take the lessons we’ve learned from our personal journeys—especially the difficult ones—and offer them as a testimony to His faithfulness.

We’re part of a bigger narrative, one where our individual stories intertwine with God’s glory story. When we allow Him to write our story, we’re not just living for ourselves but living for His purpose, glory, and namesake. Our lives, though uniquely ours, are a part of His greater plan.

Pause: Reflect on the experiences you’ve had that God has used to shape you. How might He want to use those experiences to minister to others? Whether it’s a painful season of loss or a victory in overcoming fear, the lessons learned in those moments can be the very tools God uses to bring others closer to Him.

Practice: Share your testimony of God's faithfulness this week.

Pray: Dear Lord, You’ve redeemed the hardest parts of my story. Please show me how to minister to others through the lessons You’ve provided. Allow my heart to be pure and tender with those who hurt, so I may show them how much love awaits them in Your mighty arms. May my own life reflect the power of transformation, healing, and growth to ultimately point them back to You. Amen.