“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB)
Today’s meditation was inspired by a teaching moment presented this past Sunday by the faithful leader of the Ushers Ministry. She used the verse above and at some point, referencing how we have to see the big picture when looking at life. For sometimes we get stuck looking at the unfinished work, focusing on the incomplete work, as opposed to looking ahead, anticipating how God is going to work things out for good. She was concise, correct, and convicting in her presentation. As I thought about the “big picture” yesterday, I began to think about Michelangelo’s work on the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
It took the artist some time to work on this creative masterpiece. I used the term “creative masterpiece” because while one can admire the artist’s work, you have to distinguish between what is intended to represent Old Testament history and what represents paganism. Just a caution. But look, it took four years, from 1508-1512 to complete this great, admirable art, adorning one of the most famous painted interior spaces in the world.
I suspect that Michelangelo had to work diligently and devotedly to finish his work. Again, just based on my supposition, I would almost be certain that the paintings on the ceiling took some thought, involved various experiments with colors to produce the final big picture. I would guess that it was completed patiently, one stroke at a time. At times, again just based on conjecture, this famous sculpturer and artist had to make changes to end up with the big picture that he was trying to create. Now, putting aside all my guessing, I know for a fact that at one time he got off his scaffold and looked up at his painting. feeling that the figures he was painting were too small. Thus when he got back up on the scaffold, with brush in hand and painted larger figures. The work had to involve the use of many brushes and various colors, obviously. But in the end the big picture was completed, and it has been seen and admired by too many persons that to dare try to mention a number.
The Sistine chapel ceiling is a big picture. Guess what? Your life is a big picture. Don’t you know that God is working on the finished product called “You?” Like Michelangelo, we have known God as a sculpture expert. He is The Potter, and we are the clay. We have thought in terms of how He molds us and shapes us through our life experiences. But today think of Him as The Artist, painting a picture of your life that dwarfs Michelangelo’s work. Think of how He has watched His work on your life change over time. Ponder on how He must have got off His, let me use my imagination; got off His high and lifted up scaffold in heaven, to look at His work. At times, He felt changes were necessary and He allowed you to go through this and go through that. At other times, He was well-pleased, and He let you know it too! Do you want to know something else? While Michelangelo took four years to finish the work of art on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, God is still and will continue to work on the picture called “You” as long as you are on this earth. “You” will go through a lot of things during your days. And when it looks like “You” is not going to end up good, just wait until The Artist has finished His work on every section of your life. I have a guarantee for all believers. If you just patiently wait, looking at what The Artist is doing, you will see how He is working it out for that outcome that is described in the verse above, referenced by the Lead Usher at the church where I pastor. That outcome she described is “good!” Well have a good day and whatever is happening on the canvas of your life, remember that The Artist is not through with you yet! Everything is going to come out alright! Trust in the Lord my friend! Have a great Wednesday! Be blessed!
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King