keep the fire burning...

Your Greatest Curse Can Turn To Be

Your Greatest Blessing

Michelangelo had a persecutor who was very jealous of him.

(I don’t mean the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, but the real Michelangelo.)

The persecutor’s name was Bramante, a famous architect during that time.

By the way, do you know Bramante? I’m positive 99% of you never heard of him. Do you notice how persecutors fade away in the dust, but the one they persecute become legends? An important lesson to remember!

When Pope Julius thought of making a tomb, he asked Michelangelo to do it.

But when Bramante heard of it—and thought of the acclaim that Michelangelo would receive from it—he discouraged the Pope from continuing with the project. True enough, after Michelangelo searched far and wide for the perfect marble for the project—which took 8 long months—he learned that the Pope had abandoned the project. Michelangelo was very disappointed.

One day, the Pope thought of another project.

Upon hearing about it, Bramante concluded that it would be a time-consuming project and would receive very little public acclaim. So he told the Pope to give it to Michelangelo. In his mind, it would keep the artist busy for years—and accomplish nothing of great value.

Besides, it was also a painting job, and Bramante knew that Michelangelo was not even a painter, but a sculptor.

Michelangelo saw the trap. He knew it was a ploy by his enemy to destroy him. At first, he declined. But the Pope insisted, and not wanting to deny his Holiness, he agreed.

The project was indeed time-consuming. It took Michelangelo 4 years to finish, and he almost lost his eyesight because of it…

I’m sure you know the project by now: The Sistine Chapel. The grandest masterpiece of Michelangelo. More than anything, it made him one of the greatest painters of all time.

What was meant to curse him turned out to be his greatest blessing.

Good Friday was supposed to be the greatest curse.

Yet it also turned out to be the greatest blessing.

No Matter What Trials Come,

Keep Doing The Good You’re Supposed To Do

I reflect on this story and look at my own life.

I’ve been serving God for that past 27 years, and I do get my share of little “Bramante’s” scattered here and there.

But without them, I would have missed my greatest blessings: spiritual growth, opportunities to serve, and the impact I have on people’s lives.

My biggest Bramante’s were the two men who molested me as a child.

Because of these indescribable painful experiences, I’ve been able to heal so many people who have the same inner wounds. (You can read more about this in two of my books, Your Past Does Not Define Your Future, and 7 Secrets To Real Freedom.)

I could also think of my other trials in life…

Oh, why do bad things happen to good people?

Here’s my great theological answer: I don’t know.

But this I know. No matter what trials come, I’ll do the good that I’m supposed to do.

And at the end of the day, I will win.

Friend, remain faithful to God in good times and in bad times.

And you’ll see how all things work for good to those who love Him.

And you’ll see how your Good Friday will turn to Easter Sunday.

Don’t ever give up!

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Labels: life