The Masterpiece and the Frame

By Emily Goss

We recently had family pictures made, and I have been on the search for the perfect frame. Our pictures were made outdoors and I wanted a more rustic looking frame. I kept seeing nice frames but not the right frame for the picture. I saw frames that were too fancy, while some were too plain. I saw a few that I loved but were not the right color or texture. When I finally came across the perfect frame, I couldn’t wait to hang it on the wall with our family picture inside. The distressed, wooden frame I found complimented our family picture perfectly. 

I once read: “The right frame compliments the picture in all the right ways, directing our eyes to the brilliance of the artist, not to the frame.” 

You see, a frame that is too fancy and ornate will take away from the picture inside; while a frame that is dull and plain will accent the picture well. 

I want you to look at your life as the frame. The picture inside of the frame is Jesus. He is the masterpiece. He is who we are putting on display and elevating. As followers of Jesus, our calling is to glorify Jesus and lift Him up by placing more value on Christ than on ourselves. We have to be careful not to draw undue attention to ourselves as the frame. 

John 3:30 says, “He must become greater; I must become less.” The Message translation of this verse says “This is the assigned moment for Him to move to the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.” 

In my flesh, I want to be the masterpiece. Right? I want others to see what I do, or what I say. I want recognition for the great things that I do. Slipping off to the sidelines doesn’t always sit well with me. I want to be star player. 

However, Jesus deserves to be the center of every frame. Because it is his name that has all the power in heaven and on earth. His name has the power to heal marriages, to break the bondage of addiction, and to take away disease. Not my name. 

I am the frame. 

So, everything I do needs to be viewed through this lense. Is what I’m doing right now pointing back to Jesus or myself? Am I doing this for my own selfish gain or for His kingdom? Am I complimenting the masterpiece within?

Imagine going to a gallery that holds the work of a world famous artist. Now imagine the person with you only wants to discuss the frames around the art and not the actual work itself. Wouldn’t you think that silly and superficial? 

We serve a brilliant artist. Our God created the entire world and everything in it. I would say that makes him the most magnificent masterpiece we could ever imagine. Still, he wants to include us in his divine plan. Marvel in this truth today. Allow his greatness to make you feel small. Thank him for allowing you the privilege of being “the frame” to his great work.

Verse:
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are far greater than anything I could ever imagine. You hold the world in your hands, and still you think of me. Help me not to seek attention for my own selfish gain. Remind me that you must become greater while I become less. Amen

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