It was a brisk and windy day in Tokyo a few weeks ago when Silk, John and I made our way to the Biblical Church of Tokyo. We are so glad we made the trip. We had a delightful visit with Pastors’ Seiji and Kathy Oyama and a wonderful reunion with friends from our home church in America: Rolling Hills Covenant Church.

Pastor Seiji preached a wonderful message even highlighting one of Asian Access prime shapers: Dr. Bobby Clinton from Fuller Seminary. He mentioned how much Dr. Clinton influenced his life and leadership journey and then he proceeded to encourage us that we are truly God’s Masterpiece.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 4:10

You see, God made us as his special creation, created for good work which he actually prepared in advance. How cool is that!

Seiji continued on sharing a story of his own deep personal loss and failure and sharing a painful memory of how he didn’t think he could be very successful. However, success isn’t defined by being self fulfilled or self actualized as the world tells us it is. Seiji suggested that many of us get caught up in this trap like he did. I’ve been there, have you? Rather, success in God’s kingdom is merely drawn by serving Him: 

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace…” — 1 Peter 4:10

He further stated that true fulfillment comes from God, not man! You see, even though we are created to serve, the first priority is simply Jesus himself. It is when we follow Jesus that we become ‘fishers of men’:

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” — Matthew 4:19

It’s only as we follow Jesus, live in a dynamic love relationship with God, that we can bear much fruit. We are called to serve, rather than seek our own self fulfillment or try to please other people. When we seek to please God, we’ll become the masterpiece he intended! It is in this mystical, spiritual place: a love relationship with God where we will ultimately find our true identity.

You see, “You are God’s Masterpiece!” And God is in the business of using broken vessels. I’m one. Aren’t you?

Joe Handley

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