Works of Art
You and I are works of art, too, intended to display the glory of our Creator. (You are probably tempted to say, "Well, if I'm a work of art, it isn't going to be much of a display!")
When a Southern sculptor was asked how he created his stone masterpiece of Robert E. Lee, he said, "I just got a big block of marble and chipped away everything that didn't look like Robert E. Lee."
A sculptor will tell you that he sees his final creation in detail before he ever begins to work the stone. So, in a sense, he really does chip away everything that doesn't look like what he is creating.
When we become Christians, we are like blocks of marble. God already knows how He wants us to look, and He begins chipping away everything that doesn't conform.
All we can see is ourselves, however, before He is finished with us, so we conclude that this is all we will ever be.
We say…
I am not beautiful. I'm not a work of art.
He says…
But I'm not finished with you yet.
This big corner over here doesn't look like it belongs.
But I'm not finished with you yet.
This part is chipped and rough.
But I'm not finished with you yet.
This section hasn't been touched.
But I'm not finished with you yet.
This surface needs to be sanded, smoothed, and polished.
But I'm not finished with you yet.
When He is finished, we'll be perfect, flawless - a tribute to the glory of our Creator. The universe will take one look at us and cry out, "Glory to God."