Michelangelo once said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” In life, there are times when it feels like we hit a wall. Everything is going great and then, bam! We are looking at a block of stone in front of us. What do we do? How are we to respond? Maybe we blame God saying, “God why have you allowed this to happen?” Maybe we complain and become bitter about it. In these moments of defeat, remember that God can take that wall and turn it into a work of art. Take the time and energy that you have and allow God to sculpt your life.
Simply because something is negatively effecting you does not mean that God caused it. Some believe that, “Everything happen for a reason” and that, “What will be will be.” Yet if Moses would not have lifted His hands and stuck the water, would the Red Sea have parted? If Noah didn’t build the Ark, would they have lived? And if David had not stepped out in faith, would he have killed the giant? Ultimately, we are faced with many challenges in this life. There is but one question, who will you turn to?
Jesus once said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Mathew 11:28). God wants us to turn towards Him. I love the NIV Application Commentary on this passage which says, “…discipleship to Jesus is not essentially a religious obligation. Rather, ours is an intimate relationship with the One who calls, ‘Come to me’ and ‘learn from me.’” Let us continue to place our care on Christ. Stop the endless cycle of fear and anxiety. Some things in life we cannot control. Do the best that you can do, pray, and give it to the Lord.
Sometimes we wait for the perfect opportunity or the perfect timing. Yet all the while we miss the good we can do right now. Let’s not become so super-spiritual that we look past the here and now. When something doesn’t go our way, what will be our response? Are we going to take a step of faith and trust God? Or will we sit still and do nothing?
Maybe you lost your job, got sick, or was in a car wreck. Take time to grieve. Allow God to minister to you. Yet remember that this can be an opportunity to take the time you have and make something great. Don’t allow depression to have its way. Inside every negative situation is a statue that can be carved out. Keep moving forward. Use your time and energy to turn what was meant for your harm to work out for your good. You hold the carving tools. Take them and place them in the God’s hands, the perfect sculptor. Discover the statue in every stony situation.