Crumbs Off The Table - 21

The Second Chance

In Florence, one of the treasures of art admired by thousands is Michael Angelo’s
representation in marble of the young David. When it was unveiled, it caused an unparalleled
sensation among all lovers of art. 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 the piece of marble, but, lacking skill, he only hacked and marred
the block. It was then abandoned as spoiled and worthless, and cat aside. For years it lay in a
back yard, soiled and blackened, half hidden among the rubbish. At last Michael Angelo saw
it, and at once perceived its possibilities. Under his skilful hand the stone was cut into the fair
and marvelous beauty which appears in the statue of David. It is said that the completed work
is not quite perfect; that because of the first cutting of the stone the final result is marred. And
yet from a spoiled and castaway block a splendid work of art was hewn.

Dear reader, the lesson is plain; though your life might have been spoiled by unskillful hands,
so that it seems as if all is lost, there is one, the Great Sculptor, who can take your marred,
disfigured block, now lying soiled amid the world’s rubbish, and from it carve yet a marvel of
beauty. It is sad that you have might have missed the things which are the first and the very
best in life’s opportunities. But, instead of spending the whole time in regret, which is useless
and only helps to eat away the strength that remains, you should turn instantly and with
resistless energy to HIM who can save what is left. There is always ANOTHER CHANCE,
even down to life’s latest moment in this world.

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter;
and we all are the work of thy hand.”
(Isaiah.64:8)

Friend, although you are not a pot of clay, but a human soul, a very important lesson can be
learnt here, one which is very relevant. God has a plan for your life and so long as there is a
fragment of life, and the least trace of divine possibility in your soul, He is ready and
able to make something out of it, to take it out of the mire and give it ANOTHER CHANCE.

So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel.
But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands;
so the potter formed it into ANOTHER, shaping it as seemed best to him.
(Jeremiah.18:3-5)