THE ORIGAMI LIFE

    For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
 which God prepared in advance for us to do". Ephesians 2:10

Paper airplanes have always fascinated me. A seemingly useless piece of paper can be transformed into an object capable of performing amazing aerial maneuvers which would not be possible without being strategically folded. The complexity of design and function are limited only by the imagination of the creator.  “Origami” or the Japanese “art of paper folding” goes far beyond the simple “paper airplane” or the “dinner napkin”; to the creation of complex designs which are engineering marvels. Robert J. Lang, a physicist and engineer, is one of the few Westerners to be recognized for his mastery of this ancient art. He has over 480 original designs to his credit. Lang has also been a consultant on how to use origami in the design of air-bags and expandable space telescopes. Origami or the simple “art of paper folding” has literally changed his life.
 
Whether it’s in the overall design of the Universe or in the intricate creation of a human life, God is the ultimate “Origami Master”. We are examples of “God’s workmanship”; created to “do good works”. As we allow Him to “fold” us “this way” and “that” we experience the wonder of “the origami life”. Let’s look at the “PATTERN” of His work.
 
Prepared - “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.” (Psalm 139:13). You were not an after-thought. God planned your existence and your pattern before you were even born. He selected the color, size and weight of the “paper”. He determined your country of origin and who would be your parents. He traced out on the “paper” of your life the type, size and direction of each and every fold for your unique design and purpose. And then He put into motion your personal journey to discover who you were created to be.
 
Authentic - “So God created man in his own image in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) We are “authentic” or “genuine” creations; made by God and in His image. His “stamp” is imprinted within our souls. Sometimes we may question our authenticity; but the fact doesn’t change. A “fork” can call itself a “spoon” all it wants, but it is still a “fork” at the end of the day. And our authenticity makes us very valuable; because we have been entrusted with the power of personal choice. We can choose to live in submission or rebellion to His will.
 
Tested - “…the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:3) When we study the Bible, pray, and meditate, we are given divine inspiration regarding on how to “fold” our lives for God. Then the “testing” of our faith presents us with opportunities of decision. We can “fold” our life with or against the grain of God’s pattern. When we try to “fold” our lives in the wrong direction it hurts. God allows us to correct the “folds” but sometimes the creases remain as reminders of our past.
 
Timed - “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12). Every person has the same amount of “time” in their life. We will all live for eternity; the only difference is that some of us will live with God (those who except Christ as Lord) and some without God (those who reject Christ as Lord). However, the amount of time spent on earth is different for every person.  The Psalmist is encouraging all of us to value each day as another opportunity to gain a “heart of wisdom”. A “heart of wisdom” leads us to God and helps us complete the “folding” of our life.
 
Engineered - “…created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” (Ephesians 2:10b). Every one of us have been engineered by God (through Christ) to “do good works.” The works don’t save us (Ephesians 2:8-9); they are the result of our being saved. Sometimes we chase after so many other things; such as money, fame, pleasure or security, but we were created to do something of worth with our lives. I believe that’s one of the main reasons, that men especially experience a “mid-life” crisis. They have been chasing after the wrong dream and when faced with their “mortality” they crave to do something of worth.  They seek to find what they were “engineered” to do.
 
Rewarded - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Reward was not the motivation for the Apostle Paul living his life “doing good works”; he was just acknowledging the fact that because he had lived his life according to God’s “pattern”; that he and everyone else who did the same would be rewarded. The “good works” were the proof of his “origami life.”
 
Non-negotiable - “…which God prepared for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10c). God created us, he patterned our life to do good works and that’s just what he expects. It’s non-negotiable. When I try to follow an origami pattern to create a particular object, but fail to make several of the folds or make them incorrectly the project is incomplete. It fails to represent the intended design. The same is true of our life. God created the plan. When we seek His plan, it will be revealed, and the “trials of life” give us the opportunities to “fold” our lives according to His will. Unless we commit to living in submission we will never hit the mark that God intended.
 
How’s your pulse? Have you seen the “pattern” for your life or are you still searching? We all have “creases” from mistakes we have made. The “good news” is that God is not through with any of us. He looks beyond the “creases” and sees a clean piece of “paper” when we ask for His forgiveness. The “creases” serve only to remind us of His grace, mercy and love. Take time this week to think about the “origami life” and see if the “art of paper folding” can change your life.