The making of Hollywood’s coveted “Oscar” is fascinating. The process of creating the Oscar starts with the pouring of metal into a special mold. The mold is formed to allow the Oscar to be made of solid metal instead of being hollow like most trophies.

The next step after being removed from the mold is the gentle chipping away of small snags on the surface of the metal. The Oscar is taken to a high speed polishing machine and worked on until it is smooth and shiny. The statue is then dipped in its first precious metal solution, bronze.

The results are breathtaking, but it is still not ready for the recipient. The Oscar is next plated in silver and looks even more beautiful than the bronze, but still not complete. The final process is dipping the Oscar in gold. Then, at last, through time, work, and the care of the craftsman, the renowned award is ready for a worthy recipient.

…But there is another presentation-another recipient-and only he is worthy.

We, too, like the Oscar, are poured into a solid mold, the mold of new creatures in Christ, wrought by the Holy Spirit. Our heavenly Father then chips away our flaws and thus begins our sanctification. We are dipped in bronze as we walk in his ways, plated in silver as we keep his precepts. We shine before the world when they see our good works.

Then, at last, through time, work and the tender care of the Master Craftsman we, in our glorified bodies, more precious than gold, will be presented to Christ at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Miriam Gautier is a member of Springs Presbyterian Church in Dunnellon, Fla.