The Eyes of David

Can fear and trust be present at the same time? Can trust exist in the presence of fear? I think this is a question I have been asking for the past year, and today (September 4th), the Lord answered the question in His own unique way-- through the eyes of David.

After walking around the Florentine Duomo, ascending the 270 foot bell tower, and admiring Ghibertti's Baptistry doors, we made our way to the Accademia where Michaelangelo's David stands. Rick Steeves, our "traveling companion," in his travel guide to Florence and Tuscany suggested that we make reservations for entrance into the museum. Thankfully, though, we found only a small line and were able to enter without a problem.

I had read about Michaelangelo's David, had seen small replicas and photos, but nothing had captured the magnitude of this piece of art. As a music major, I did not have to take the required Arts in Concert course that offered a brief overview of music and visual arts so I was not aquainted with the story of the artist. (I have since picked up Irving Stone's the Agony and the Ecstasy, and am devouring it). However, even with my lack of knowledge about the subject, the Lord chose this medium to speak to me.



Upon viewing this enormous statue and briefly reading Rick's words about the disgarded marble which was used, I found myself captivated by his eyes. I could not stop looking at his eyes. To me, his eyes captured the confidence in his God as he stands and faces Goliath. Though the caption on the block, suggested the sculpture portrayed the shepherd boy after slaying Goliath, many art historians believe it to be the moment facing the giant. I agree with this interpretation-- the look in his eyes suggests trust in the presence of great fear. I pulled my journal out and began scribbling, "His eyes. I can't stop looking at his eyes."

The artist also sculpted him naked. Understanding now that Michaelangelo preferred sculpting the human body nude rather than with the distractions of drapery and clothing, I recognize his preference. But I also view his choice to be one of a posture of humility and vulnerability. Nakedness is a kind of complete vulnerability, yet David stands with such confidence. Two contradictions exist: Trust and fear, vulnerability and confidence.

As I stood staring at his eyes, tears began streaming down my face. Isn't this what God has been trying to say? The same confidence facing the unknown, that same strength and beauty, and naked vulnerability... the trust in his eyes; not in self, but in his God; not in his slingshot or his own strength, but in the power given to him from above.. Isn't this what ruthless trust is all about? Sculpted from a rejected, imperfect piece of marble that no one wanted, with only a vision in his mind, Michaelangelo sculpted fourteen feet of beautiful marble into the representation of trust in the presence of fear. Not the weapon in his hand, nothing that he could do could bring down that giant. He ruthlessly trusted in God alone. My prayer is that as I return to complete uncertainty and an unknown path before me, my eyes will demonstrate and reflect the same trust in my God in the presence of fear like those captured in the eyes of David.