A famous sculptor’s pieces were the highlight of a showing at a local art studio. The artist was discussing one of his works when a man walked up to him, in awe of the amazing sculptures he had made out of solid slabs of marble. “I am such a huge fan of your work” he told the artist. He went on to say that he himself had always desired to be an artist but didn’t really know where to start. He finally mustered up enough courage to ask the artist, “so what’s the secret? How do you do it? How do you carve something as beautiful as this elephant sculpture from a single piece of stone?” The wise old artist looked him dead in the eye and said simply and gently, “This elephant was in the block of stone all along, I simply chipped away every piece of stone that didn’t look like an elephant”
This has been the process God has been taking me through during the past week. Since Monday evening, Mrs. D and I have been out in SoCal visiting and hanging out with some old friends. It’s been a great week of catching up with my old college roommates, watching Dodgers games, eating fish tacos and generally fighting L.A. traffic. However, it’s also been a great time of disconnecting and allowing God to chip away at the pieces of rock that don’t look like the Church He’s calling Carol and I to plant. We leave tomorrow night and are coming back to Fayetteville more sure of our calling than ever before and more focused on the vision He’s planting in my heart for this church. I can’t wait to share some of the things He’s shown me this week so make sure to check back throughout the week and I’ll give you bits and pieces.
