Some years ago there lived and worked in Italy a great artist in mosaics. His skill was wonderful. With bits of glass and stone he could produce the most striking works of art, works that were valued at thousands of pounds.
In his workshop was a poor little boy whose business it was to clean up the floor and tidy up the room after the day’s work was done. He was a quiet little fellow, and he always did his work well. That was all the artist knew about him.
One day he came to his master and asked timidly, “Please, master, may I have for my own the bits of glass you throw upon the floor?”
“Why, yes,” said the artist. “The bits are good for nothing. Do as you please with them.”
Day after day, then, the child might have been seen studying the broken pieces on the floor, laying some on one side and throwing others away. He was a faithful little servant, and so year by year went by and saw him still in the workshop.
One day his master entered a storeroom little used, and in looking round he came upon a piece of work carefully hidden behind the rubbish. He brought it to light and, to his surprise, found it to be a noble work of art nearly finished. He gazed at it in speechless amazement.
“What great artist can have hidden his work in my study?” he cried.
At that moment the young servant entered the door. He stopped short on seeing his master, and when he saw the work in his hands a deep dye flushed his face.
“What is this?” cried the artist. “Tell me what great artist has hidden his masterpiece here!”
“Oh, master!” faltered the astonished boy. “It is only my poor work. You know you said I might have the broken bits you threw away.”
The child having the artist soul had gathered up the fragments and patiently, lovingly wrought them into a wonderful work of art.
Do you catch the hint? Gather up the bits of time and opportunity lying about and patiently work out your life mosaic — a masterpiece by the grace of God. God does not give many of us great things to do, but it is the odds and ends of everyday life which He sets us to pick up and make morally beautiful and glorious. “Gather up the fragments ... that nothing be lost” (John 6:12).
Are we doing it, day by day? When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, to give an account of what we did with our life here, what answer shall we be able to give if He asks us, “How many baskets full of fragments took ye up?” (Mark 8:20).
“He gave authority to His servants, and to every man his work” (Mark 13:34).
From To Every Man His Work