Exactly 520 years ago, on September 8, 1504, one of the most incredible multi-media artists (painter and sculptor) who ever lived, Michelangelo, unveiled his sculpture of King David. This single piece of art took Michelangelo three years to create. After more than 500 years it remains one of the most celebrated pieces of art ever created.

Now, to quote Paul Harvey, "this is the rest of the story".

Michelangelo began his work with a single block of white Italian Carrara marble weighing in at 12,000 pounds. The final statue was 17 feet tall, so understandably the block of marble was probably close to 20 feet tall.

Michelangelo worked with hand tools only, no laser cutters, no power sanders or polishers, no power chisels and no power saws. He also worked without a set of 'blue prints'. He carved only what he could see in his mind and feel with his hands.

Here's the part of the story you may not be aware of. The block of marble that Michelangelo used had been deemed unworthy to use. It was 'flawed' and rejected by three other sculptors before Michelangelo accepted it. But Michelangelo saw something in it that the others either couldn't, or wouldn't see. He saw what it could be. He saw beyond the flaws and saw the image of David.

  Now imagine this, God has chosen us, with all of our flaws and imperfections, people who others have dismissed and sometimes rejected, to work in us, to accomplish His Will and His plan. Where others see flaws, God sees what He can do, and how He can use us. It may take God longer than three years to get us where He can best use us, but every change He makes He makes with His own hands and He sees with His own eyes and heart.

Remember, King David's statue wasn't the only flawed thing that God used for great things, David had a few problems of his own, and look what God did.

Remember also the words of King David, "l will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14.