A Masterful Sculptor

Michelangelo was a famous Italian painter, sculptor and architect of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Some of his most famous works include the painting of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the sculpture of David. An often repeated story, handed down through the generations, goes as follows. After marveling at Michelangelo’s now famous statue of the ‘Victorious over Goliath’ David, the Pope asked the sculptor, “How do you know what to cut away?” Michelangelo’s replied, “It’s simple. I just remove everything that doesn’t look like David.” To this day, visitors to The Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence Italy (Florence Gallery of the Fine Arts) who view the magnificent statue, hear of these words spoken years ago.

This legendary comment made by Michelangelo indicates several characteristics of the sculptor himself. First, he set out with a goal to create a magnificent sculpture. As Michelangelo looked at a block of marble, he had a vision in his mind of what he would create. As he planned his course, his intent was to remove anything that was not in line with that vision. He also was not in a hurry to complete the project. It took him over three years from the day he looked at the marble to the day he completed the statue. Vision, planning and patience were extremely important characteristics present in the man Michelangelo.

God Himself is the true master sculptor and we are His most precious creation. Our Heavenly Father has created us to be His spectacular work of art. “For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in Them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP)

Long before we were even conceived and born, God had a vision and plan for each of us. “Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” ( Psalm 139:16-17 AMP) Knowing every step we would take and every word we would speak, He perfectly planned our lives. “As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.” (Psalm 18:30 AMP) Each piece of this perfect plan is designed to bring good to us. “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)

In order to form us into that beautiful, perfect masterpiece, God does to us exactly what Michelangelo is credited with saying about process of creating his masterful sculpture of David. Day by day and moment by moment, the Word of God and the events of life chip and sand away everything in us that does not look like the beautiful bride of Christ. With great care and loving kindness, the Lord painstakingly works in our lives. “So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].” (Ephesians 5:26-27 AMP) The knowledge and application of the precepts of Scripture in our lives will open our eyes to the things we must turn away from. Little by little we will let go of wrong attitudes and actions and they will fall away from us like chips of marble that have been chiseled from the emerging statute.

In addition to the Word of God, circumstances that are both pleasant and unpleasant will also contribute to molding us. “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].” (Proverbs 27:17 AMP) How we react to blessings and friction in our relationships with others will cause more ungodliness to be exposed and fall away. Difficult circumstances may seem unfair and overwhelming but the work of God is continuing. “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” (Romans 8:28 AMP) In everything that we encounter in life we can have confidence that we are growing into the unique person God has called us to be. “For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29 AMP)

Allow God to chisel away at your life as He sees fit. The end result will be a beautiful masterpiece that will be viewed by many and bring praise to your creator.