The artist Michelangelo often stirred up the opposition of the contemporary
artists of his day. Many of them envied his magnificent abilities. One
example was the architect Bramante.
Pope Julius retained Michelangelo to build him a splendid tomb.
Michelangelo gladly accepted the project and spent eight months in a marble
pit personally cutting and selecting the most perfect stones. When he
returned, he found the pope had second thoughts. Bramante had turned Pope
Julius against the project. The Pope cancelled it.
Later the idea for another special project entered the Pope's mind.
Bramante saw the project as a time consuming trap for which there would be
little public recognition. Bramante recommended Michelangelo for the job.
The great artist saw the trap. He knew what Bramante was up to. He
wished to turn the project down but did not want to refuse the Pope's
request. So Michelangelo went to work. He spent many years doing the slow
and tedious labor the project required. It was the Sistine Chapel.
The inspiration that flowed through Michelangelo can likewise flow
through any human being. That is what the inspiration wants to do.
It
cannot be stopped. It is a living, powerful river that easily circumvents
all obstacles.
Michelangelo collected his inner forces for a complete victory.
Likewise, we must not fear to face the trickery of some people and expose
it for what it is. This is not negative, but intelligent protection and
spiritual perception.
In his many books on inner development author Vernon Howard refers to
Michelangelo several times. He quotes him as saying, "The more the marble
wastes, the more the statue grows." And, "I released the statue from the
stone." He chiseled away all that was unnecessary, and David emerged.
