I remember reading or hearing about one of the great sculptors, who specialized in creating amazingly lifelike art from blocks of rough marble. He said that he started by seeing the ultimate picture in the marble before beginning to chisel. His challenge was to bring out the picture that already lay within. In a sense, his genius was releasing the art that was trapped in a rock. I think there's an important lesson for us in this. Every day many forces are at work within and without our lives. There are forces of expectation, judgment, preconception. There are forces of popular styles, music, media. There are internal forces of ambition, fear, worry. Sometimes we let these forces act like chisels that shape us. We need to remember that the Lord had an idea from the beginning of time just what our art should look like. He designed into each one of us a unique package of personality, gifts, skills and interests. As we walk through each day, He wants to be the artist that releases the picture of our lives. Instead of trying to shape ourselves, lets allow the master sculptor freedom to finish the picture in each of us, that He placed within us. We are the work of a great Designer and we need not be defined by any other force.
Exodus 35:30 (The Message Version) Moses told the Israelites, "See, God has selected Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. He's filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and know-how for making all sorts of things, to design and work in gold, silver, and bronze; to carve stones and set them; to carve wood, working in every kind of skilled craft. And he's also made him a teacher, he and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He's gifted them with the know-how needed for carving, designing, weaving, and embroidering in blue, purple, and scarlet fabrics, and in fine linen. They can make anything and design anything."
blessings,
Rob Smith
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