Making Masterpieces
A reflection on loyalty
Proverbs 5: 23 He will die for lack of discipline And go astray because of his excessive foolishness.
It’s fascinating—and often unsettling—to explore our own weaknesses. It is possible to be aware of something lacking in our moral code, yet we are such good liars, we can convince ourselves that it isn't a big deal. That we have it under control. Whatever it is only happens to other people. But it strikes me now how much that sounds like the reasoning of an addict.
In Proverbs chapter 5 Solomon was speaking about morality—specifically, on not being led astray and remaining faithful to the vows of marriage. Ironic, considering the downfall he would later face. But our own moral code is just as defective as the writer’s and we too can and do face consequences for not being loyal and faithful to our mates. In fact, the struggle is greater than ever.
Everywhere we turn there is constant messaging to pursue our own happiness by any means necessary. Except through hard work.
How rare it is to see a book or television show, movie—anything really—portraying beauty and passion that comes from hammering through a troubled marriage. Or mending a strained relationship with a child or a friend.
A few days ago I watched a video of a craftsman making a saxophone. He began with a 12x18 in (300x500mm) sheet of brass. It was a dull yellow, flat and unremarkable. As he proceeded, he beat the sheet into a tapered tube, then pinched and folded the seam before welding it. It was rough and ugly.
Once he had a passable tube the size of a milk jug, he put it on an anvil and started hammering it—leaving deep divots. Visually it just got worse and worse. At this point I still had no idea what he was doing. It seemed that neither did he.
Until he started pressing the walls of the tube through an english wheel.
This tool uses tremendous pressure to smooth and shape the metal. It is a slow, meticulous process but has the effect of crafting the once flat sheet into a refined and graceful item.
After a little time, the once hammered and rough texture was gone. The weld—so hideous—had disappeared.
The dull and scratched surface was addressed after a few minutes on a polishing wheel. Introduced was the incredible bright gold finish we associate with the wind instruments. It was a work of art.
After repeating the process 4 more times, he had the components to assemble the full body of the saxophone. Then he welded, rolled and polished them onto a final instrument.
It was a difficult, labor-intensive process and absolutely fascinating to watch. How much more so must be the relationships of our lives. Our siblings, parents, mates, children and friends. We are all in various stages of forging what we hope are masterpieces. If only we don't stop when we get to the hard stages, the ugly parts.
This is where discipline comes in. We do the work because that is how masterpieces are forged. They do not just happen. There are no storybook 'happily-ever-afters,' there are only 'because-I-make-it-work's. Maybe we should rewrite all those classics and change that last line to: ‘and they kept working at it and working at it all their days’.
That’s what a real prince does. What a true leader does.
The easy path is the one that flows like water, that carries us away and consumes us in a raging torrent of dopamine and epinephrine. Romantically, we call it passion. I expect one day to understand why a stranger can set us on fire while we struggle to find even a spark with the soul that we have been laboring for decades to love. But foolishness is why old men die with young boy faces.
Earlier in Proverbs chapter 5, Solomon points out that we cannot rake fire into our chest and not get burned. Which is a fantastic point. You don't have to understand the consequences of foolishness to suffer them. Do right because it’s right, no matter what you feel. Feelings lie—that’s how we ended up here in the first place.
Trust logic. Trust the standard of right and wrong. Trust love.
This is wisdom and how masterpieces are made.
Daniel 10:19 Then he said: “Do not be afraid, O very precious man. May you have peace. Be strong, yes, be strong.” As he spoke with me I was strengthened and I said: “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
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