A Work Of Art

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. --Michelangelo

I love this quote from Michelangelo, and I have for years. It always struck me as the best description of what it means to be an artist. I often rated myself as an artist based on this question, can I and do I see what is hidden in plain view and somehow find a way to bring it out. As a photographer and digital artist I feel it is even more true that I do not create anything but rather somehow find a way to show and share what image God showed me.

Yet I realize that I have been the least like an artist, the least true to this quote with the one thing God has given me to see more than anything else, myself. Throughout my life others have seen an angel under the dirt on the surface of my life. How many times have I had to sit and listen to a teacher tell my parents about my great potential that I am wasting? How many times I have received praise for some ability or gift? And how many times have I disagreed? I always seem ready to accept the dirt on the surface and believe that not only is that all that I am but that it is all that I can be? I failed to see the angel buried in the marble and therefore have no drive or ability to carve it out.

Recovery and a better relationship with God are starting to change that, slowly. I still can't often see these things worth looking at in who I am, but I am more ready to believe that God does. I am starting to get a vague idea of the image below the surface. Finally I am beginning to act like an artist in my own life by yearning to see what isn't obvious, aching to see the potential. Today I ask God to show me more glimpses of the sculpture He wants made with my life. I ask that He guide me through the steps that I need to take to see the stone carved away to reveal said image. More often than not what is needed is my submission to His carving. Because while I believe it is true that my life can be a work of art, and I know that action is required on my part (even surrender is an action verb), the truth is that when the work is done it won't be my accomplishment. In this case God is the artist who can see the angel in the marble, and I'm just the sculpture that others can see His work and give Him glory for his artistry. Maybe not yet, because the work's not finished yet, but progress is being made. I am grateful that I am finally beginning to see it for myself. Seeing the image begin to emerge where I saw no image before encourages me to let the Master Artist continue His sculpting.