His Masterpiece

"When God creates, His creation is unique and has purpose. We are the work of His hand. "

My husband Billy Tshaj Koob and I have been married for 11 years. Billy and I have been serving our LORD for about a decade together as a team.

In these last 10 years, I’ve discovered the following truth from the bible and that truth is this:

Everything that God has made, He intended it for good, with a     unique purpose.

This biblical truth claim is echoed all throughout the scriptures. However, one bible passage that comes to mind is none other than Isaiah chapter 64 verse 8. The prophet Isaiah wrote the following to the family of God;

"But now, LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter, And all of us are the work of Your hand."

to remind them that they are uniquely His chosen people and that their identity is formed according to His sovereign and majestic will.

In this bible verse, there are 5 key-distinct elements of truth that communicates God’s good intention and unique purpose when He formed His people. It was true in Isaiah’s day and is still true today in the post-modern era.

Timeless Truth #1: God is sovereign as the creator.

Isaiah 64:8a teaches this truth. It reads, 'But now, LORD,' 

In Isaiah’s day, the word LORD meant “Jehovah,” it was synonyms and interchangeable with “YHWH.” In other words, the people recognized that God was the supreme ruler-creator. Everything that came forth and was made from God and by God was absolute and final. His will and desires are sovereign.

As a woman, I struggle surrendering everything to God. To call Him LORD meant giving up to Him. Giving the things I treasured most as a woman is not easy. To call God, LORD, meant giving up my social life for the Christian journey.

Timeless Truth #2: God is relational. You can know Him personally.

Isaiah 64:8b echoes this line of thought. It renders, 'You are our Father'

This bible truth teaches that God knows you and is waiting for you to respond to Him like you would your earthly-biological father. To say that God is “our Father” is to say that we regard Him as someone who is in the high places of our lives.

I have a great relationship with my biological father. I remember sitting down one evening with him and spending quality time listening to his journey from Laos to Thailand to America. It was a moment that I will cherish forever. In the same way, our response from time to time with our heavenly Father should resemble a child listening to her father’s words, wisdom, and will. God is relational and desires personal quality time.

Timeless Truth #3: Without God, we do not existence.

Isaiah 64:8c says, 'We are the clay,'

As a daughter of the Most High, I’ve come to realize that apart from God, I lack value and worth. In Isaiah’s day, the daughters of Israel relied solely on God’s providence and love to sustain and remain in the community. Their identity rested in YHWH’s hands. A woman of God should look towards God’s goodness especially when everything in her life is in shambles and rickles. Without God we have no value and worth.

Timeless Truth #4: God is in complete control.

Isaiah 64:8d communicates, 'and You our potter'

The Potter has every right to form the clay piece according to His vision. He may form the piece with equal sides, make it lopsided, make it tall, cut it short, stretch it wide, and squeeze it narrow. The Potter can choose to strengthen the clay with other materials or allow the clay to be baked until brittle. He may shape and fashion the clay to His liking and declare it good. He sets the standards and criteria for living. He is in charge.

This truth is difficult to accept. I’ve been married for 11 years, from time to time, I desire to take complete control of the marriage. I want to schedule the notable events and create value in our marriage according to my terms, my preferences, and my personal likings. In the same way, we push God to complete our desires and will. We challenge God for control but He will always be in control.

Timeless Truth #5: We are unique and complete.

Isaiah 64:8d communicates, 'And all of us are the work of Your hand'

When God creates, His creation is unique and has purpose. We are the work of His hand. He brings form to the formless. We are uniquely designed for His purpose and glory. As a child of God, He puts beauty in the hearts of woman. We are perfectly formed according to His will and desire.

As a woman of God, there are days where my physical insecurities get the best of me. Looking through social media, watching Hollywood movies and TV shows, actresses are born physically and naturally beautiful in the world’s eye. I struggle with the temptation of accepting my physical appearance and worth. It is at this point, the deceiver in the garden of Eden has convinced me to go on rabbit trails looking for self-worth through cosmetic enhancements the price of high dollars. However, I am reminded that my self-worth and image is in the hands of God. I am His Masterpiece.

Isaiah chapter 64 verse 8 communicates the truth that God made everything uniquely for His purpose and plan. We are the clay and He is the Potter. May the Potter’s will be championed and bring Him ultimate glory.

---

Paploua Yang (N.Kx. Tshaj Koob Vaj)

Paploua Yang serves alongside her husband Rev. Billy Vang. They’ve been married for 11 years. The LORD has blessed them with three beautiful boys: Owen, Obadiah and Oziah. She and her husband are currently serving Hmong New Hope Alliance Church in Auburn, Georgia. She looks towards the goodness of God while awaiting the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.