I was reading a really good book written by Evangelist Daniel Kolenda called "Live before You Die" and the book tells a story of how an artist had found a flawed piece of rock that was rejected by others.
He then worked at it night after nights until one day he unveil the great masterpiece called "David" and the artist name is Michelangelo.
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"To make this statue, Michelangelo was given a piece of flawed marble that another artist had started but given up. Indeed, he was asked to finish a sculpture of the David originally blocked out in 1464. It’s documented that on Sept 9, 1501, he apparently knocked off a “certain knot” that had been on the David’s chest. We believe this “knot” to be the flaw."
The Lord then spoke to me very clearly. How many times do we tend to focus on someone's flaw and someone's weaknesses more than the God given potential that was deposited into each of this individual?
He amazed me by saying that there is nothing impossible with Him as long as we have faith in Him, the hardest and most flawed rock He can turn into a great piece of art that would marveled crowds & draw multitudes.
The Father created all things to be good,
"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."
Colossians 1:16
"Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." John 1:3
If we are made for Him then of course He will only make something good as He Himself is good!
"43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers." Luke 6:43-44
God can change someone and restore them to His original intent and purposes in that person's life. The question is now, do we only see the flawed parts of the person or do we actually see with His eyes and look into the God given potential that someone has?
God in His eyes would know exactly what that person could have done for His Kingdom had he continually abide in Him. Therefore we must ask for His heart and His eyes that we may see through His heart of love and His eyes of faith that sees beyond what is superficial.
Lets stop focusing on the flaws of the person and let these discernment raise an awareness in our heart to break through with intercession. Let the lack does not bother us from throwing our arms around the individual and lifting them up to be where our Father desires them to be.
Start our day by giving thanks to the Lord, singing Him praises and worshiping the Lord with all that we are. Praise the Lord that He is full of Love, the flaws in us does not stop Him from declaring His purposes over us. As we make declaration of His Words over ourselves, we would then walk with confidence that we are created all for Him, that we are greatly favoured and blessed by Him and most importantly that we are deeply loved by Him.With the right perception of who we are as individuals in Him, we are also able to bring others into the light.
Have the heart and the eyes of the Master Creator. As Michelangelo had to spent nights chiseling down the flawed rock and having the faith that the rock would turn to be the piece of art he had envisioned, we ought to do the same.
To love a flawed person can sometimes be easy but most of the time it would be hard. The layers of the past hurts and rejection would require extra effort chiseling them down as well as carving out the wrong parts that was implemented by the old lifestyle. Break through with Love!
"4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The most excellent way is to love. By having His eyes and His heart, we will have the faith to see that potential in others. Always believe that nothing is impossible with God and move with His compassion.
As an artist requires time to chisel and carve, it also requires time for us to spend with the people around us that needs His touch. It requires time, energy, money, sacrifice, endurance, perseverance, persecution, etc.
This is an unavoidable part of shepherding. But the ultimate question is are you willing to do it? Are you willing to spend time, effort, energy, emotions and financial means just so that God's glory will be manifested in that person?
This is a question that He had asked me recently and one that we should ask ourselves in the sight of God.
"10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward." 1 Corinthians 3:10-14
The most precious stones found on earth tends to be one that needs to be dug deeper within the Earth soil. Similarly a person's giftings and talents may sometime be hidden deep inside all of those hurts and baggages of the past.
The challenge is, would you be the person who is willing to lift those bagages aside and mend the brokenhearted?
:Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." 1 john 2:6
"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
Lets all bring glory to His Name, He wants us to love His sheep and accept the little children. As one goes away He would leave the 99 behind and bring the one back because of His Love.
Lets imitate Him and reveal His glorious selfless Love unto this world that is decaying in love. Lets look back to how God met us, we were imperfectly a sinner and yet He chose to love us first that we may love Him back.
Take the step, look deeper, ask the Lord for His eyes and His heart!
He will give it to you :)!
"For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:8
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