As any artist will tell you, the key to creating a wonderful work of art is to be committed to the process. Beautiful creations take time. Sometimes they can be messy. And the artist often wrestles with how to produce a winning representation of what lives in the heart, mind, and soul.
The same is true for you. The key to living your beautiful life is to keep going. You must decide not to get hung up or stuck. Don’t get bogged down in the mess that comes with making a masterpiece. Choose to wrestle for the win.
When I was a girl, I thought the choices would be easy, the decisions would be straightforward, and that life as I desired to live it would simply fall into my lap.
Most of us already know that’s not how life works.
Life is a series of experiences — some good, some not so good. Some parts we cruise through. Others we wrestle through as we attempt to get a grip on our stories. And let’s be honest, we don’t like to wrestle.
But often the winning is in the wrestling, and it’s only as we continue to live that we see how all of those experiences fit together to make a complete picture.
You just have to keep going.
And believe in the idea of your masterpiece.
I hope that you are willing to take note of every part of your story through the various seasons of life. Some parts will look like strokes of genius. Others may seem random, insignificant, or straight-up wrong.
Keep going.
Do the work.
Believe in the idea of a masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 says,
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
The girl you wanted to be — or the girl you never were sure you could become — is already a divinely inspired masterpiece. Every day that you live, you have the opportunity to do the work of honoring the plan God has for you.
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ (Jeremiah 29:11)
I want you to know that you can get back on track.
And I want you to know that you have a friend.
I count it as my mission and privilege to share lessons learned from my journey so that you can know you are not the only girl who’s felt lost in the middle of her life.
Is this your life?
Yes, yes, it is.
But this is me, your new friend, leaning in close with a smile to tell you this:
It’s not too late to make it a life you love.
~By Chrystal Hurst
Chrystal Hurst is an energetic, fun-loving “girl-next-door” who loves to encourage other women in fulfilling their full potential in Christ. She is the author of She’s Still There: Rescuing the Girl in You and co-author of Kingdom Woman. Being the eldest child of Dr. Tony and Lois Evans, Chrystal has been surrounded by the Word of God her entire life. You can find Chrystal on her blog or her podcast — Chrystal’s Chronicles—where she poignantly reflects her thoughts about her faith and day-to-day experiences.
Hear more from Chrystal at the (in)real life FRIENDED event this fall!
“Take note of every part of your story”
I appreciate these words that direct me away from the head-long life, lived at full-speed-ahead.
Thank you, and blessings to you as you share your book with the world!
Miss Chrystal,
This reminds me of a song I just heard called, “I’m just the brush.” It is about how we don’t give credit to Picasso or Rembrandt’s paintbrush for the masterpieces that came from them… and how we are merely God’s paintbrushes. We aren’t always able to see the picture He is painting from our point of view but He doesn’t need us to. He just needs us to grab that paint and let Him guide us to where He needs us to be and to do what He asks us to do. How absolutely beautiful it is when He lifts us up, pauses for just a moment and we get a glimpse at the masterpiece He is creating through us… all so very different… but, all priceless. Thank you for splattering some of your paint here! I am grateful for your words of encouragement; I pray you and your family have a blessed day Miss Chrystal.
This side of Heaven,
Summer Rae
Thank you, Chrystal. Very encouraging. Find when I do keep moving is when I can see God’s fingerprints. Need to learn to live this out moment by moment though.
Thank you for this- I was praying through a “throw in the towel” mentality the whole way to work this morning, but your post gave me hope that this is just one of those difficult, messy times that will eventually pass. It feels like this season has been going on for decades, when it’s actually been just under a year. When we are in the struggle, days and months seems to multiply and we tend to feel that this is our lot and always has been. Backing up in perspective, I can see it’s just a time period, not a permanent condition. I appreciate your perspective, and with God’s strength which He promised me, I’m going to do my best to “do the work of honoring the plan God has for you”. Earlier this morning I was telling Him how wrong His plan was for me; now I see I need to join in to His design and honor it.
thank you for the reminder…. I so needed this today.. in that messy part of life and praying for God to continue to work His good in my life and for me to trust.. to embrace the mess that He will make into a masterpiece! God bless you ~
I have a devotional titled The Masterpiece in the Mirror in LifeWay’s Journey magazine’s September issue that just came out and I wrote about this masterpiece theme, because we are a masterpiece, each one of us, and realizing that makes the difference when we see ourselves as God has made us, and that unique design He created us with is what we take into the world and create our own masterpieces!
Such uplifting words today, Chrystal, thank you!
Just finished this book last week. Such a good word, Crystal. Thank you for writing it. ((Hug))
I haven’t read your book Crystal but the subject matter will be an encouragement to so many women I’m sure because it was an encouragement to me and a great reminder! Thank you!
Thank you, Chrystal for your inspiring words. Good encouragement for me this rainy morning in Houston, Texas. Continued blessings to you!
Wonderful truth and encouragement! Thanks for reminding us that ALL of the days of our lives have been ordained by God, and can be used to beautify the whole masterpiece.
“Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:16, NIV
I love this, Chrystal. The idea of life being a continuous masterpiece is something we need to be reminded of and that we should relish the process. There are so many growth quotes in here that just inspire me to respect my own personal growth and process. Thanks for the lovely writing.
Dear Chrystal,
Your words are like a stream in the dessert. I have recently started taking some classes after MANY years and it has been tough! Earlier this week I thought to myself, this is so hard, I don’t know if I can do it? But I kept reminding myself of the dreams that I am hoping and praying will come to pass for my life someday. Thank you so much for this today!
Christine
I don’t like to wrestle, truthfully, I’ve done it too much. I know the verse about wrestling against not flesh and blood, but then standing is mentioned more, so here I stand.
Chrystal, I just love this! Thank you so much for your encouragement. My screen saver is a picture of a bicyclist so I remember your point to just keep going in life. Sweet confirmation. Thank you!
Chrystal,
Such an encouraging post. We all make mistakes in life. Our belief as youngsters is that life will be easy-not a big roller coaster ride that we sometimes go on. We all need friends to lean on now & then. A good shoulder to cry on & friends to pray for us. God is making us into masterpieces. That takes a lot of time & effort on both parts. Don’t give up-just keep on keeping on. Remember each & every part of your story. Who knows you could encourage some by what you’ve gone through.
Blessings 🙂
Chrystal ~~ You won’t believe this, but as I paused to read your post this morning (not knowing that it was YOU who penned it), I thought to myself, “This sure sounds like Chrystal …” As I neared the end of your article, and seeing your beautiful smile confirm my suspicions, I had to smile back!
I just received in the mail your recent book, “She’s Still There,” along with the study guide. I only do that when I sense a strong connection with the writer ~~ because I believe that your words are inspired and given by God, Whom you Serve.
Your compassionate heart speaks with such a tenderness that cannot be mistaken for being anything other than Spirit-led.
THANK YOU for this Article ~~ and for your book! I’m looking forward to it.
♥…SO timely!