A sculptor masterfully hammers the chisel across the solid rock. As they move across the surface of the stone and into the rock, they remove stone piece by piece, layer by layer until all that remains is the image that had been held in their mind’s eye. It begins with an inspiring idea that comes to the sculptor. Seeing the image partially or in its entirety, the sculpture first works with clay to shape and form the image into existence. From the clay model, a suitable material from which to carve their image is chosen. Sandstone, limestone, and marble are common stones used. Each brings their unique characteristics to the sculptor. Depending upon the sculpture’s desire for rough texture of sandstone or the smooth veiny surface of marble, materials are selected and the carving begins.
As the carving takes form, adjustments to the design are made to reveal the sculptor’s image in real life. It may be tedious work to complete a fine sculpture yet, we appreciate the beauty for eons to come. Many of us admire the sculptures formed in the early centuries all the way to today’s works of art and history.
This sculpting isn’t only in the hands of great artists. We hear the words of Cora Fillmore as she speaks about each of us carving our life from the power of our imagination. In her writing “Christ Enthroned in Man” which beautifully complements Charles Fillmore’s “The Twelve Powers” Cora says:
Divine imagination is the chisel we wield in molding the paradise of our inner-thought kingdoms. While in the silence, therefore, the thought-forms we permit to be imagined in consciousness have as great effect on our lives as our spiritual realizations. Intelligent seeing is a form of divine imagination. We should always behold ourselves in a state of keen, intelligent knowing. We should see God, God, as the foundation on which life is built; we should see God, good, as the source of life, and we should see ourselves majestically spring from that source.
Each day as we see our life unfold in the human realm, we can be sure that the thoughts we hold, the imagination we yield, the images we affirm, all create the life we live. Remember always that we do not create in solitude as the lone artist. Instead, we co-create with the divine and all humanity. Just as the sculpture holds the ability to change where his chisel rests, how firmly his hammer lands, and what his tools remove from the stone, we too control what stays and what is let go of in our lives. With the chisel of our divine imagination, we form the masterpiece of our life. What are you sculpting today?
Many blessings and much love to all,
Rev. Karen