Resisting the Chisel

"He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 1:4

This was the theme verse of the message of my home church this week.  I listened as Pastor Mark talked about the necessary understanding that God is constantly at work in our lives.  He started the work...is currently carrying it out...and will not stip until its done.  He compared our lives to that of the unfinished figurines of Michelangelo.  Michelangelo was quoted to say that his goal was to "liberate the figurine imprisoned in the marble."  Unlike Michelangelo, God doesn't stop working on what he has started.  He is constantly at work and he won't quit.  The difference is that he is molding us into the image of Jesus.
This is not the first time I have heard this analogy of God's work in our lives.  I have been preached this verse many times.  The great thing about the Bible, though, is that God brings about a new lesson to be learned every time I intently look at His word.

I remember watching the video posted below when I first heard about God using a chisel to shape us and mold us into the person He wants us to be.  Though I had seen the video a few times, I remember hearing about it from last year's 10th graders talking about the job of being God's workmanship.  Allowing God to hit us where it hurts in order to mold us into his masterpiece.  God used this video and the words of my students to convict me of allowing myself to accept the grace of God in my own life: a lesson I have had to re-learn time and time again.

I have heard this verse was from my Dad as a kid.  He would recite this verse to me whenever I would get annoyed with my brothers or with my friends or with myself.  He would recite it over and over again--to the point where I would just shut off when he said it--yet again.

This last time, when I was sitting in my empty room streaming the sermon over the internet, I heard the message in a whole new way.  This verse isn't simply meant for ME and my self-centered relationship with God.  Its meant for all of those that God has been working on too.  God, in His divine supremacy, has been crafting all of His children into masterpieces that glorify Him.  I'm not the only one being stuck with the chisel.  He is simultaneously using the circumstances around those around me, and not around me, to mold HIs children into what we should already be.  He is taking us from a pile of dirt and turning us into something bigger than we could ever imagine ourselves to be.

Is that not unifying?  Often, I have found myself making the radical statement that I cannot stand many Christians.  I cannot even begin to count how many cynical moments I have when I judge other believers for their actions and reactions.  It is virtually impossible to put a number to moments when I react to others with an expectation that I set for myself that they just don't live up to.  I treat others with such disdain and lack of mercy that, in turn--through assuming that they are resisting the chisel--I am resisting the chisel.  Its a classic plank-in-the-eye situation.  The Christians that God places in my path, as hypocritcal, self-righteous, frustrating or just plain annoying that they I can be, we are all being shaped, molded, chiseled, and perfected by the same Carpenter, Potter, Sculptor.  So if God is willing to forgive them, and chisel away, what other choice or responsibility do I have but support the chiseling of others by allowing God to chisel me.  Unforgiveness, judgement , and bitterness will always put a barrier between the chisel and the chiseled--a barrier that NEEDS to be crushed.
The most exciting thing about it all is that our proud Father is proud of every piece that is chipped away on His masterpiece.  Much more excited than the impossible chunk of marble that he has to work with, and He never gives up--no matter how stubborn that marble can be, no matter how many obstacles and barriers we place in front of Him.  No matter how many times we resist the Sculptor, he will FINISH his masterpiece.  He started, He's continuing, and He won't stop until its done--and on that day He will place us on the mantle of that place He's preparing for us to glorify Him for eternity.

Who's Excited?

Rachel

{prayer requests}

• UPCOMING CAMPS: pray for both the Middle School and High School camps coming up this month, that God will bring the kids to a deep and real understanding of Himself.
• YOUTH GROUP: Middle School & High School youth group has been combined to one night a week.  This is a lot of change for the school, and we'd appreciate the prayers as we maneuver through the transition
• MSCREW: I am now fully in charge of MSCrew, and I feel significantly worried and inadequate.  Please pray for me as I continue to make decisions for Crew and that I will communicate and work well with Ryan, the youth pastor, to disciple these kids.
• CARNAVAL WEEKEND: There is an apparant spiritual warfare during the days leading up to Lent here in Bolivia.  Bolivia is the worst country to be in during Carnaval because there is a significant spiritual warfare that happens.  Pray for those new Christians that will be tempted to attend Campamentos and to resist the temptation to join in on the evil
• PRAY for Jen Roberts and me as we travel to Peru during Carnaval weekend and explore Macchu Picchu.  Pray for travelling mercies and that God will bless our time together and grow our friendship