GOD Is Infinitely Patient With All Whose Lot Is Hard.

The broken fragments of a life

(J.R. Miller, "The Glory of the Commonplace")

In Florence, one of the treasures of
art admired by thousands of visitors
is Michael Angelo's representation
in marble of the young David. 

The shepherd boy stands with
firm foothold, the stone grasped
tightly in his right hand, ready
to be sped on its holy errand.

When the statue was unveiled,

three hundred and fifty years ago,

it caused an unparalleled sensation

among all lovers of art. It is, indeed,

a marvelous piece of sculpture.

But the strangely winning thing

in the story of that statue, is that

it was the stone's second chance.

A sculptor began work

on a noble piece of marble--

but, lacking skill, he only hacked

and marred the block. It was then

abandoned as spoiled and worthless,

and cast aside. For years it lay in a

back yard, soiled and blackened,

half hidden among the rubbish.

At last Angelo saw it, and at once

perceived its possibilities. Under his

skillful hand, the stone was cut into

the lovely and marvelous beauty

which appears in the statue of David.

Just so, GOD can take the broken 

fragments of a life, shattered 

by sorrow or by sin--

and out of them make a new life 

whose music shall thrill many hearts. 

If one is discouraged, if the life 

seems to be hopelessly broken--

the gospel of divine love brings 

encouragement. There are no ruins 

of life, out of which GOD cannot 

build beauty and blessing!

GOD is infinitely patient with all 

whose lot is hard. HE never exacts 

more of us than we can do. HE is 

never unreasonable. HE knows 

when the burdens are too heavy 

for us. Once HE, 

"being wearied with HIS journey, 
sat down by the well"  (John 4:6) 

in HIS exhaustion. HE sympathizes 

with those who are weary, and helps them.

"For we do not have a high priest 

who is unable to sympathize with our

 weaknesses, but we have one who 

has been tempted in every way, 

just as we are" Hebrews 4:15

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GraceGems has published Richard Baxter's insightful article,
"Ministerial Pride". This is an issue that church leaders have to deal with.