The Touch of a Master’s Hand: Finding Your True Worth in Christ
Key Passage: 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, NLT)
Key Message: Our true worth is found not in ourselves, but in the transforming touch of Jesus, who redeems broken lives and makes them beautiful for His glory.
Myra Brooks Welch wrote a poem in 1921 after hearing a speaker address a group of students about God’s power to fine-tune and bring out the best in them to use for His glory. Inspired, she wrote the (now famous) poem, “The Touch of a Master’s Hand,” in thirty minutes.
I was a young girl when I learned the author of this poem was my great-great aunt on my mother’s side. She was revered in our family for her deep faith and transformative poetry. A framed copy of the poem hung in my grandmother’s house. It always intrigued me, but it wasn’t until recently, when I came across her poem in a book, I fully grasped the meaning of the poem’s parable.
Aunt Myra’s signature poem (sometimes called “The Old Violin”) focuses on a seemingly worthless violin, battered and scarred with years of use, to be sold at an auction for $3. Just as the auctioneer is about to drop his gavel, a violinist emerges from the audience and begins to play the instrument, bringing forth its exquisite beauty and true value.
The violin then sells for $3,000 and the poem concludes by illustrating the value is not in the instrument itself but in how it comes to life through the touch of a masterful musician—like the touch of God’s hand on the life of a sinner.
Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?"
"Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three…" But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,
And going and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:
"The touch of the Master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
A game — and he travels on.
He is "going" once, and "going" twice,
He's "going" and almost "gone."
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
The poem, initially sent by Myra anonymously to her local church to be published in its bulletin, inspired many other works, including song lyrics, three movies, and a short film (which won a Sundance award in 2021).
Portraying divine redemption, the poem shows how those diminished by sin or hardship gain renewed worth through Christ. Its central message is that true value comes not from outward appearance but from the transforming touch of the Master.
When I wrote poetry as a youth, my mom would often say, “you have your Great-Great Aunt Myra’s creative writing genes.” I pray it is so. Or, perhaps, I am an instrument whose unknown worth and beauty my Master paid a very high price for and continues to fine tune. His masterful touch in the depths of my soul stirs and brings forth the “music” of words—messages of hope to pour into others.
Without God, my worth is hidden, unknown. With Him, I am a priceless work of art. And so are you!
It doesn’t matter how old, unused or out-of-tune we feel. Jesus paid a high price for you and me when He was nailed to the cross. And through His resurrection, He makes all things new, bringing beauty from ashes, life from death.
Myra Brooks Welch understood this well. She was once a musician who loved to play the organ. At age 35, crippling arthritis confined her to a wheelchair. With hands so gnarled she could no longer play music, she put her energy into writing poetry. Using the eraser ends of pencils to depress the keys on a typewriter, she painstakingly produced works celebrating God’s love and human resilience.
“The Touch of a Master’s Hand” was one of the works she produced during that time. For years, the poem was listed as “author unknown” until her son heard it read at a Christian conference and claimed it as his mother’s work. From that point on, she became known as “the poet with the singing soul,” which provided encouragement amid her struggles.
I pray Aunt Myra’s poem and story will encourage you in your own struggles and walk with Jesus today. We were all created to be instruments of God’s love—His masterpieces. He wants to make beautiful music with your life.
Will you allow the Master’s touch to transform you today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing value in me even when I feel broken, worn, or unworthy. Thank You for redeeming me through Jesus and making me Your masterpiece. Continue to shape my life with Your loving hands, bringing beauty from my struggles and using me for Your glory. Help me trust Your work in me and reflect Your love to others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Reflection & Application
In what areas of your life do you feel battered, scarred, or less valuable, and how might God be inviting you to see yourself through His eyes instead?
How has the Master's touch transformed your life in the past, and where do you need His restoring work today?
What gifts, experiences, or opportunities has God given you that you can surrender to Him so He can make beautiful "music" through your life for His glory?