Statue of David Carved From Flawed Marble

There is a fascinating story behind the sculpting of the Statue of David by Michelangelo.

Did you know that the Statue of David was made out of a flawed piece of marble? An earlier artist had begun work on it 25 years before, but soon quit stating the the marble was flawed! The large block was moved outside where it sat neglected in the elements for a quarter of a century until it was commissioned again.

This time, under the skilled hands of Michelangelo and tens-of-thousands of hammer strokes on a chisel, a masterpiece was created.

Isn’t this a great metaphor of our midlife years? Don’t we often feel flawed and set aside? We see the flaws in our spouse, marriage, finances, health, relationships—just about everywhere we look!

Here’s an attitude that can help us:

Rather than looking at the flaws in our situation, we are going to resolutely fix our eyes on Jesus knowing that He is in the process of sculpting a masterpiece in our life for His glory.

God may have a lot of chiseling to do so that we’re fashioned and ready for His purposes. But as we trust Him wholeheartedly in the process, won’t it be wonderful to finally see what He accomplished through the flawed marble of our life! Our years of greater influence are ahead of us!

“For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure!” (Phil. 2:13)

What has God been chiseling away in your life to create His beautiful sculpture?

 

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About the Author

Bruce Peppin

Bruce Peppin is the author of The Best is Yet to Be and the Journey of a Lifetime small group study guide.

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