Cadet Lindani Collen Dlamini, from Nongoma Corps in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal Division, is a second-year cadet in the “Champions of the Mission” session. His story reminds us that even through seasons of loss and challenge, God is shaping a life that reflects His goodness. Lindani has discovered that each step of surrender allows him to live more fully as the masterpiece God has already made him to be. Here is his testimony:
Some people seem to think that we need to be perfect and live perfect lives so that we can draw nearer to God. But for me it has been different. I have learned that I am God’s masterpiece, already His in Christ and the more I journey with Him the more I understand and experience the beauty of what He has made me to be (Ephesians 2:10).
As a young man I grew up in the church, going through all the stages of being a young person in The Salvation Army, from being dedicated as a baby to becoming a junior soldier and later a senior soldier. One thing I have learned is that we become more like Christ the more time we spend in His presence.
This was true for me from a young age. Having lost both my parents by the age of ten life was bound to take a very different direction. But God worked things out and kept me kept me from seeing my life go down the drain by leading me with His hand and constantly reminding me that “He has plans for me plans to prosper me” (Jeremiah 29:11). All I needed to do was trust and obey, and I did. I gave my life to Him and He is still in control of my life even today. To be honest, I do not know where I would be if it was not for the Lord making me His masterpiece from the very beginning. Today I am a leader, a shepherd, who still follows Christ as my Shepherd.
God took me from being a child at The Salvation Army Firlands Children’s Home to now being someone who is pursuing His call toward officership – something I could never have imagined for myself. But this is where God wanted to take my life. He is shaping my journey so that I can reflect His purposes more fully. What does God want to do with your life so that you can live as His masterpiece?
Yes I have flaws. Yes there are moments when I struggle or look down on myself. But I am still God’s masterpiece, already His fully loved and accepted in Christ. Each day as I follow Him I grow in understanding, obedience and the joy of living out who He made me to be. Be encouraged by this: “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” (Ephesians 2:10).
This is a journey. Being God’s masterpiece does not mean doing the right thing all the time. It means trusting Him with every part of your life knowing that through it all “all things work for the good of those who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). God is not done with my life and already I can see His masterpiece at work and He will do the same for you.