You Are a Potential Masterpiece

There is within you what God works to bring out of you. Agostino d’Antonio, a sculptor of Florence, Italy worked diligently, but unsuccessfully, on a large piece of marble.  In frustration over his failure to do anything constructive with it, he had it discarded.  Other sculptors tried in vain to work with its obstinate composition.  Michelangelo saw the massive discarded marble and had it brought to his studio where he painstakingly worked to release the hidden beauty of his classical work of “David.”

The secret was in Michelangelo, not the stone.  Look at your life!  Is it an incomplete, perhaps even discarded, potential masterpiece?  Put it in His hands and expect nothing but His best from your worst.  In love would you commit to Him?

To release David from the Carrara marble there was a lot that needed to be removed.  He was there all the time, he just needed the master sculptor to release him.

I have been to Florence and seen Michelangelo’s David. It is perfectly proportioned with one exception.  His right hand goes unnoticed by most admirers.  However, it is almost twice the size as the other well proportioned hand.  It was intended to depict David as described in Psalm 137:5 – “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill!”  His endearment of Jerusalem was as special to him as his right hand.  Remember that statement was made at a time when manual skills were depended upon for survival, and the skill of the right hand was highly valued.

Think seriously, what do you value highly, how highly?

This is a good time to make a list of the ten most valued things in your life. The list might need reviving.  Perhaps some items need to be moved. Remember, stone had to be chiseled off to reveal the best David.  Consider yourself a potential David and remove anything not revealing your best self; not your better self, your best self.  Bad habits sometimes resist the best chisel.  What needs to go to reveal your best self, not your better self? Dedicate the effort to the Master Sculptor.  He can help you in finishing the sculpture; the best you.

Begin by praying this appeal David made of the Lord.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Wait! Before David penned those words he got out his chisel and authored these.

“Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.” Psalm 51:9