Chisel or Chainsaw?

As we walked toward the entry door of our favorite home improvement store, we couldn't mistake the distinct sound of a chainsaw. There stood many people who took time out from their own projects to watch a master at work on his. All eyes were focused on the chainsaw and the artist holding it. Out of a huge log came a beautiful sculpture of a ferocious looking bear. Maybe a bear would not fit your home decor but I had to admire the skill it took to create this magnificent work of art complete with claws, teeth and hair that stood to attention on his thick neck. I am always amazed at that kind of talent. "God given" comes to mind when I see talent that just seems so effortlessly flow for some people

While chiseling or sculpting wood seems impossible to me, sculpting stone or marble seems incredible. How are images created out of such hard material. How does a hammer and chisel become like a paint brush, and a stone becomes a canvas? How does jagged rock quarried from the ground give way to the beauty of the masters hand?

When asked how he made his statue, Michelangelo is reported to have said, "It is easy, you just chip away the stone that doesn't look like David."

I don't know about you but many of the things about me that I hate seems to be, as they say, set in stone. I hate that I am so easily offended! I hate that I have difficulty forgiving harsh words spoken to me. I hate that I stuff those words down to ferment into something putrid. I hate, I hate and I hate but how do I change? I cannot change I conclude, my flaws are set in stone. Indeed I cannot change on my own, but have I let the Master chip away at everything that doesn't look like Jesus? Actually? No! Have you ever watched anyone chisel or sculpt? It includes a hammer and a sharp instrument! It is hard, first to admit I am at fault (after all, I didn't say mean things) but God certainly talks about forgiveness more than he talks about mean words. Wow, there is some serious "chiselin' goin' on up here!" But if I am to let Jesus chip away I must endure the pain of it as he smoothes the rough edges and I have many. The bible says I am His workmanship, so should I resent him working on me, even if it causes me pain? I say gladly, chip away, Lord, even if a chainsaw is needed. May I be more like Jesus!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV84)