Brenda’s Blog – April 5, 2022
Recently a friend told me she gathered outdated gold jewelry and took it to Dallas where she sold it for a healthy sum. Gold closed just short of $2000 per troy ounce today. Trading in unworn jewelry for cash makes financial sense, doesn’t it? Especially in a market where gold is exceptionally high. But think about a gold bracelet or broach purchased for a loved one at Tiffany’s. It would be priced multiple times the market value of the gold, wouldn’t it? What makes the difference? The touch of the artist. When a master craftsman takes the gold in hand and draws out the beauty through design it is no longer an ounce of gold – it is a work to be treasured.
A decade old study analyzed the chemical components of the human body, looked at the market value, and determined we are worth about $1.00. But clearly we are more than a beaker filled with the 83 elements that make up the human body. Again, what makes the difference? It is really Who makes the difference? Scripture has the answer: “For we are God’s handiwork (workmanship), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2: 10) We are formed by the most creative triune God who designed us purposefully and intentionally because He had the idea of who He made us to be. Our God is the ultimate artist.
Consider the Garden of Eden and the creation of man and woman. God took a handful of earth’s soil and formed Adam; He pulled a rib from anesthetized Adam to bring out Eve. He breathed life into them beginning the history of mankind.
The intrinsic value of men and women must be estimated by the “touch of the Master’s hand” described beautifully by Myra Brooks Welch in her poignant piece. She points out the fallacy of judging by social standards, appearance, and life experiences. Those who consider only “market worth “miss the artistry that creates a stunning “objet d’art.” We aren’t just a base metal or a collection of periodic table elements – we are the workmanship of a majestic craftsman.