The sculptures of Michelangelo need no introduction to most people. We are all familiar with his masterpieces, David, Day and Night, Twilight and Dawn, Medici, Madonna and Child.
Michelangelo stands as one of the towering figures in the history of art. His majestic Frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and his masterful sculptures bear witness to his greatness. But he was a man never content to rest on his laurels. He spent countless hours on his back on the scaffolding in the Sistine, carefully perfecting the details of each figure. When a friend questioned such meticulous attention to detail on the grounds that “at that height who will know whether it is perfect or not?” Michelangelo’s simple response was, “I will.”
One of his most massive sculptures is a statue of Moses, completed more than four hundred years ago, often called his best work. If one looks closely at the statue of Moses, however, you find a long, narrow dent on Moses’ knee. It is the mark of an artist who was never satisfied with his own work!
After completing work on Moses, the master sculptor stood back and surveyed his craftsmanship. Suddenly, in anger, he struck the knee of his creation with his chisel and shouted, “Why don’t you speak?” the chisel scar that remains on the statue’s knee is the mark of a man who always reached out for more. His ambition was to be the best he could be.
I don’t think it’s a crime to aspire to be the best in your industry. I mean if names are being mentioned in your chosen profession, why shouldn’t yours be among? Most people get satisfied with little achievement. Don’t get me wrong, am not preaching greed. According to Charles Lamb “My motto is: contented with little, yet wishing for more.”
Many years ago, a promising Greek artist named Timanthes was under the instruction of a well-known tutor. After several years, the young painter created an exquisite portrait. He was so thrilled with what he had painted that he sat day after day gazing at his work. One morning, however, he was horrified to discover that his teacher had deliberately ruined his painting. Angry and in tears, Timanthes ran to him and asked why he had destroyed his cherished possession. The wise man replied, “I did it for your own good. That painting was retarding your progress. It was an excellent piece of art, but it was not perfect. Start again and see if you can do even better. The student took his advice and produced a masterpiece called “Sacrifice of Iphigenia,” regarded by some as one of the finest paintings of antiquity.
It was William George Jordan that advised “There are times when a man should be content with what he has but never with what he is.” Many today are like Timanthes, always relishing in past achievements and refusing to move ahead. Those who are satisfied with their accomplishments tend to remain as little as the things they do. The true giants in any field are those who are never satisfied that they have done enough or have done their best. That’s the driving force behind their greatness.
To our success!
– Uju Onyechere
| Bible Reading: Philippians 3
My father constantly told me that ‘a good soldier prepares for war in the time of peace’. In other words, his success at war time is dependent much on the training he has acquired before the war. But today, I see many Christians trying to prepare for the battle of life only when they find themselves in battle. Very little time is given to spiritual growth and skills development. We are so much engulfed in the “get it quick” syndrome.
I wish all Christians focus on growth – because it is naturally accompanied with a fruitful ministry, good success and a good life. Sometimes it baffles me that when some chronic sinners just give their lives to Christ, they immediately rush to Bible school and the next year they are already made Pastors. They get the position of a pastor but lack the disposition of a pastor. While it is good that we all engage in the ministry of reconciling men to God, it is not a substitute for our Christian growth. Some Christians are praying everyday to reach the zenith of their career, but they are spending no time to develop themselves. Some others do not even pray or read their bible until when they are in a difficult situation – You see them quoting Psalms.
So many times we go to God in prayer for things that we have not developed ourselves to handle. It’s like a 5 year old boy crying to his father to buy him a Hummer jeep. Even if the father buys it for him, he won’t let him drive it until he has developed to the age where he can handle it. Jesus Christ spent 30 years preparing to enter into the core of his purpose on earth. When I understood this principle, I began to focus more on growth because there are a lot of God’s blessings which are potentially ours, but do not become ours experientially until we have grown up.
If you are a good Christian, I probably have your attention. But if you are not, you may see Christianity as pressing a button to receive anything at anytime from God. Take a lesson from the trees. They don’t spend time worrying about having a great height. They focus on sipping water and nutrients from the soil, and in no time, they grow tall for all to see. Many Christians are struggling to get to great heights, but little do they know that great heights will naturally accompany a good growth.
I love the words of Tanzanian Marathon runner – Juma Ikangaa (1957): “The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare”. Beloved, in your career, ministry and life endeavors, I want you to see this time as a growing time. Develop your skills. Stretch your mind. Now is the time to study. Now is the time to pray. It is cheaper to do it now. It is easier to do it now. You can make your life very productive if you make today productive. Give today your best shot. Focus on growth. – tope aladenusi |