The Master's Piece

"I would rather be the Master’s piece—an instrument used for His work—than a masterpiece sitting on a shelf."

Masterpieces are perfect, grand, and deserving of a frame.

In our world, art is plentiful, but true masterpieces are rare. They are often sold for millions of dollars, displayed in high-security museums, and kept behind velvet ropes. The world tells us that to be valuable, we must be like these works of art: flawless, impressive, and protected from the wear and tear of life.

But when I think about being God’s masterpiece, I don’t think of something flashy or untouchable. I think of something humble—a tool in the hand of the artist. I would rather be the Master’s piece—an instrument used for His work—than a masterpiece sitting on a shelf.

The Pressure to be Polished

As women in ministry, we often feel pressure to perform, to prove, and to polish ourselves into something impressive. But Scripture reminds us that God’s greatest works is not always loud or grand. They are obedient, surrendered, and faithful.

I learned this lesson most deeply from the life of John the Baptist. His life was nothing close to what the world would call a "masterpiece." He was a man marked by humility and meekness, yet boldness and courage. In the hands of his Master, he was shaped with intentional purpose.

John 1:7 tells us that he came simply as a witness. He knew he was not the light, but he came so that others might hear about the light. His identity—and the definition of a true "Master’s piece"—is summed up in one verse:

“I am the voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’”

This verse defines our calling as women in ministry. Our purpose is to point people to Jesus, not to build ourselves up. We are not here to construct our own kingdoms, but God’s. It does not matter if people see us; what matters is that they see Him.

The Joy of Decreasing

One of the most transformational verses in my life comes from John 3:30:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

I love this verse because it confronts my natural desire to be known. Innately, we often crave acknowledgement or recognition for our labor. But this verse frees us to let go of those expectations. It reminds us that the function of the Master’s piece is simply to direct the eye to the Master.

This requires a different kind of boldness. John did not choose to be a quiet witness who only spoke when invited. He preached openly. He baptized publicly. He stirred things up so much that the highest religious authorities traveled from Jerusalem just to question him.

John was truly living out his calling by “crying out in the wilderness.” As women in ministry, we are invited into this same freedom. We don't have to protect a reputation; we get to point to a Savior.

Finding Fulfillment in Obedience

In John 3, we see John’s disciples struggling with jealousy and confusion over Jesus, the very One John had baptized. If John had been driven by ego or worldly status, he could have responded by protecting his influence and diminishing Jesus.

But instead, he responded with clarity, humility, and deep joy:

“A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given to him from heaven... The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John’s response is breathtaking. He is not threatened—he is overjoyed. He understands his role is not to be the Groom, but the friend of the Groom. His fulfillment did not come from attention, but from obedience.

We are not called to be framed, polished, or preserved by the world. We are called to be faithful. We are called to decrease—not out of shame, but out of the joy that comes when Christ increases.

May we, like John, live lives that point unwaveringly to Christ. May our joy be made complete when people get to meet Jesus. Let the world have its masterpieces; let us be content to simply be the Master’s piece.

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Tang Thao (NXF Vaam Tub Lis Thoj) holds a degree in English Education and a minor in TESOL from Crown College. For the past 14 years, she has served with Envision in Bangkok, Thailand, dedicating her life to reaching the Thai people alongside her husband. Together, they have raised their three children on the mission field, partnering in ministry with one goal: to point people to Jesus.