Life is Hard!

I am a strong believer that God uses everything that happens in life to teach us something about Himself if we will just listen to His Spirit and allow Him to instruct us. Then I search God’s Word to see what God has specifically said regarding what the Spirit has impressed upon my mind.

I am a pen turner and I love to work at my lathe. I have learned many things about life as I work at my lathe. Each step of the process in turning a piece of wood or antler into a pen is painful to the material with which I am working. The process includes cutting, drilling, shaping, sanding, polishing, friction, and pressure. But when the process is complete the material has been transformed; it has new beauty, value, and purpose. Something of little value now has greater value, all because it endured a painful process! Life is full of difficulties and it easy to become overwhelmed. But there is a purpose behind each hardship; they are all part of a process to shape and mold us into some of greater value and purpose. My desire in writing this blog is to encourage and maybe stir up some conversation with the lessons that God has been teaching me through the painful process of life. Life is hard, but God is good. May He continue working His process in my life.

If you are going to read any of my posts be sure to ready "Introduction to Lessons from the Lathe". In that post I lay out the basis for all the other blogs.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Behind All Art There Is An Artist

     The David, the Mona Lisa, the Sistine Chapel ceiling; as I list these I am certain that most people will reflect on images they have seen of these famous works. When you glimpse the colossal  David, you can't help but marvel at the genius of Michelangelo. A glance at the Mona Lisa or the Sisten Chapel cause awe of the brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci. Behind each work of art, whether a famous classic or a crayola drawing, there is someone who took the time to create it. No one would argue that you can't have art without an artist.
     I have no problem looking around at the most awesome work created by the greatest Master ever, and saying "What an amazing God who created such beauty!" What I do have trouble understanding is how people can marvel at the intricate designs of nature and not recognize that behind it there must be a Creator. Craftmanship demands a craftsman! "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork" Psalm 19:1. "For we are His workmanship..." Ephesians 2:10.
       It is said that Michelanelo work three years in sculpting the David, da Vinci labored for four years on each the Sistine Chapel and the Mona Lisa. The artists toiled at their work, following a process that would allow them to complete their vision. Each had his own process, method, and tools to shape and form the raw material into the completed work of art. God works a life time to form His masterpiece. He has His unique process for each of His works of art.
     To begin to make sense of the struggles that occur in our lives we must recognize God's hand is in control. That He is following His process and that as Philippians 1:6 says, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion..."
     Behind every work of art there is an artist, and he knows what he is making and has a process he is following. May we begin to recognize God, the Artist, who is faithfully working on His masterpiece!

3 comments:

  1. Amen is right. I used to be one of those people. Even I don't understand how I could have felt that way.

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  2. Psalm 139:13-14, "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

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