I recently came across this beautiful sculpture. It is amazing how such fluid transparency and soft delicate features can be drawn out from a material as hard as marble. What is even more amazing is the artistry of the sculptor who creates this masterpiece not by adding to it but by subtracting everything that is not necessary to bring out the beauty.
I imagine myself as a block of marble at the hands of the Divine Sculptor. He chisels out from me everything that is superfluous and unnecessary to draw out the beauty, the goodness and the truth embedded in me. I already have everything I need to be a masterpiece. I only need the Master Artist to take away what is not essential. If it were up to me, I would probably want to remain a block of marble. But then, no pain is no gain. I trust myself in the hands of God to draw out all the beauty and the goodness in me. And that is the deeper reality and the greater truth.
It is not easy, living this life. But the Lord has promised those who would follow him a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. For the yoke of sin is death and the burden of guilt and separation from God is much heavier.
Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed: holiness befits your house, O Lord, for length of days.
At that time Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you that are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:25-30