Master Artisan

Posted bymusingsofmanettekayPosted inMeditation, PrayerTags:, , , , ,

Recently, I’ve been thinking about God’s sanctification process in my life. Reflecting on where I once was and who I’ve become through the process. Those musings inspired the poem I share today.

Freed

Artisan sculptor sees not
mere wood, stone, or mountain.
Nay, he conceives
tomorrows masterpiece
concealed within.

A precious veiled gift,
soon to be freed.

Rough bits whittled away
pure beauty exposed
with the sharp cut of a knife
in the Creator’s hands.

Rock-hard portions require
hammer and chisel
for the Master’s removal
of cold, hardened stone.

Some significant work
by means of dynamite blasts
shapes Perfection’s piece
for glorious contrast.

© Manette Kay

Prayer:
Dear Holy Father, your handiwork is magnificent. There is none like You. Thank You for crafting and shaping me with Your divine touch. Forgive me, when I resist, grumble, or complain out of my ignorance or pain. Holy Spirit, in those moments, remind me again of the Father’s undeserved grace. So, I will always continue to praise the name of Jesus. Amen.

Author Bio
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, grandmother, great-grandmother, foster care parent, and trauma survivor. I enjoy sipping tea, writing devotionals, prayers, short stories, and unburdening my heart to the Lord. Check the About page if you want to read more of my story.

Would you like to know more about the afterlife and how you can be assured of eternity in Heaven? Check the Questions page.

Check the Free Gifts page for downloadable/printable study guides and resources.

Copyright © 2020-2023 Musings of Manette Kay™ All rights reserved. Requests to the author and publisher, Manette Kay, for permission.

Image of sculptor’s hands by Matteo Orlandi from Pixabay.

Published by musingsofmanettekay

Sharing bits of memoir in the format of devotionals, prayers, short stories, and occasionally a poem.

25 thoughts on “Master Artisan”

  4. Although of spurious origins, a humorous tale of how Michaelangelo sculpted the amazing David statue: it is claimed he said, “It was easy. All I did was chip away everything that didn’t look like David.” 😄
    May our Father keep “sculpting” us until we look like Jesus!
    ❤️&🙏, c.a.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Amen! Your last sentence is what was in my mind as I wrote and rewrote multiple drafts. In the earliest drafts I had a phrase “to crack away undesirable”. Thank you for sharing, C.A.
      May God the Father bless and keep you in His mercy and peace today.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jo! I apologize for my delay in responding for some unknown reason your comment went into spam, which I seldom check.
      I appreciate your kind words. May our gracious Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ bless you today with every spiritual blessing.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Beth! I’m glad it gave you pause to meditate and reflect.

      I wasn’t familiar with the song “He’s still Working on Me.” I looked it up, it’s a wonderful Sunday School song and does carry the same theme. I understand why it came to mind.

      I’m curious which stanza is your favorite? I’m not understanding the sentence you wrote but guessing you may have gotten interrupted.

      May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ overflow from Him to and through you today and always.

      Like

      1. Oh dear! Sorry for the confusion. I originally wrote, “The first stanza is my favorite” and went back to edit it to “My favorite is the first stanza” only what my brain put out and my typing fingers accomplished didn’t quite line up before I clicked send. Boy, I can tell it’s the end of the day. LOL

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 😉 No worries. The first stanza was rolling around in my head and heart for a few weeks a conception from the Spirit. The remaining stanzas came as I reflected on the progression of my life. They may mean different things to each reader but for me it symbolizes the progression of surrender to the Lord and acceptance of His soveriegnty.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. First let me preface, the poem I share is figurative language. The Bible and Jesus also use figures of speech—metaphors to teach or make a point. The Bible describes the sanctification process using figurative language in numerous places.

      Deyan, thank you for asking your questions. To your first question, “How can we describe the sanctification process from God for us?” My answer is, we can to a limited extent but we are mere mortals and finite. Thus our language and ability to perfectly describe anything regarding the Holy, Infinite, Creator, the One worthy of all worship and adoration forever and ever is limited—it falls short.

      Regarding the second question, “What does it [sanctification] mean?” Dictionaries all define it as: to set apart as holy; consecrate; to make free from sin; purify.

      My answers will only scratch the surface because there is enough material regarding sanctification it would require a multi-part series to explain all the nuances known to man. It would mean digging into the original Greek and Hebrew.

      My desire is to whet the appetite of a reader in hopes they will open the Scriptures and yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

      Now, returning to where the Bible describes the sanctification process using figurative language, it describes it as a refiner’s fire:
      • Zechariah 13:9
      • Isaiah 1:25
      • Jeremiah 9:7
      • 1 Peter 1:7
      This is a sampling, not an exhaustive list.

      In summary, I’ll close with Paul’s words to the church in Corinth as he encourages the believers to boast only in the Lord, “It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30, CSB). Thus, my sanctification is from God as I yield to His handiwork in my life. The imagery of my poem may lack the visual of a believer “yielding” but I think I make it clear that God is who ultimately does the transforming work that purifies and consecrates a believer.

      Deyan, thank you for visiting this blog and seeking truth. Grace and peace to you through the Lord Jesus Christ.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Your lovely poem and prayer go perfectly with the gratefulness I feel today for the good work God begins and completes in us. Glad I stopped by. Your post was like a nod from God acknowledging He noticed I was thinking about His artistry in my heart and life.
    We’re so loved.
    Blessings ~ Wendy Mac

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Whether through hammer and chisel or by dynamite, may the Master Sculptor’s work continue in my life. It’s taken me awhile to catch up with all the blogs I love to read. Your’s is one of them, Manette Kay. I appreciate your sharing from your walk with Christ. Blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your kindness, David. I took on a second part-time job and have the same issue about reading all that I want to.

      In regards to the “tools” I feel like I’ve had all of them used on me at one time or another metaphorically speaking. A progression of ridding my life of sin that so easily entangles.

      May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be upon you and your hosehold.

      Like

  11. Those of us who love to craft can especially appreciate God’s artistry. Beauty is not easy to create! It takes time and attention to detail. Praise God he’s willing to expend his energy, creativity, and mindfulness on us, to put his workmanship on display (Ephesians 2:10).

    Liked by 1 person

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