Creating The Masterpiece

Posted by Dion Todd June 8th, 2024 1,207 Views 25 Comments

The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn't darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light." Luke 11:34-36 WEB.

After viewing the marble statue of David, someone asked Michelangelo: "How did you know what to cut away?" The sculptor answered: "It's simple. I just remove everything that doesn't look like David." He knew what the statue should look like before he began his work, but it took him three years to carve away the pieces that did not belong.

They say anything can be accomplished when broken down into small enough steps. I do find that when I take on a large project, it works best for me to break it into stages. I complete phase one, then focus on two, and so on until the project is complete. The way you eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

It is essential not to become overwhelmed in our life. Suppose you brought a bride to her new home and showed her all the housework she would do. All the dishes there would be to wash. All the dirty diapers she would have to change. If you showed her everything, all at once, the wedding would probably be off.

God is similarly working on us. He does not want us to remain in darkness, but He also does not want to overwhelm us, so He takes it one step at a time. That is why some teachings are so timely in our lives. It is the Holy Spirit at work uncovering things, reassuring us, comforting us, and giving us a new direction.

We all have areas of our lives that could stand improving, but we could not bear it if it were all done at once. The cost would appear too great, and we would probably give up. When we first come to Jesus, there are usually more areas. After we have walked with Him for a while, hopefully, there will be less.

Some areas are anger, greed, idolatry, jealousy, envy, strife, the love of money, gluttony, and drunkenness. They are combined with various lusts like pornography. These are just a few areas on which the Holy Spirit will shine His light. Do you know that thing that causes the hair on the back of your neck to stand up when mentioned? The one that we tend to keep quiet about? That's the one that I am talking about right there. He will bring those things up one at a time until they are all gone.

Yes, He loves us, and He will wash our sins away. But after growing up on a farm, I can tell you that it is tough to wash a hog while it's actively rolling in the mud. You have to wait for it to stop.

Work with God day by day. Let Him help improve your life and try not to get too far ahead of Him. Take it one day at a time, and He will let you know what is on today's to-do list. Walking with Jesus is not a sprint. It is a marathon. He works with us individually and at our own pace. Don't compare yourself to others that seem more polished. In time, you will be as well.

God is working on a masterpiece that will take decades to perfect: You. He gently chips away parts that don't belong there. So don't get too excited on the mountain top, and don't get too depressed in the valley. This is a lifelong event.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for having patience with me. Please help me to be stable and learn to time my steps with You. Make what is important to You important to me and help me focus on that. Please give me the grace to get through today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network