I have a stubborn nature. It's caused me trouble over the years, but walking with the Lord for thirty-six years, has dimished some of my willfulness. I am grateful.
Sometimes to bring about change a sharp edge is required and pain follows a necessary reprimand. And then there are times when I feel like pliable clay in a potter's hands. I love those times when change comes gently.
However, change is not always pleasant as is demonstrated in Jeremiah 18:5-6 But the jar he (speaking of the potter) was working on did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. Then the Lord gave me this message. O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand."
I definitely do not like the crushing part of this verse, but oh how I love the starting over part. A new beginning that is carried out by God Himself.Knowing that one is molded by the master we can trust the results. We can become just who God longs for us to be.
Sometimes we fight against helping hands that mold and shape us. In my book, "Touching the Clouds" my hero, Paul tries to save a raven whose leg is broken. The bird fights him, beating the air and struggling to escape Paul's gentle hands. All the bird knows is that he wants freedom, which means he must escape. He has no inkling that his present situation is dire and that without the help of one who cares he will die. And so he fights. That's just like us. We want what we want, when we want it, the way we want it and we have no vision or understanding of the possibilities available through the transforming hands of the Lord. And so we fight.
God has so much more for us. And, yes, sometimes we must be crushed. I've been crushed and I don't like it, but transformation and a new beginning follows. And although while living in this world I will remain imperfect The Potter will continue to renew me.
Rest in the Potters hands. His touch is like no other. Be ready to be molded. Be expectant about who you will become. It may take a good deal of molding, but the pot created will be new and better and it will reflect the Father's glory.
Praise Him for loving us enough to mold us.
Grace and peace to you from God.
Bonnie
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I was "crushed" during the first part of this year. It was the hardest time in my life. But looking back now, I am in awe of all the ways God worked and all that I learned. Not a fun process, but the end result is nothing short of amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bonnie!
Hi Kristen. I'm so sorry to hear that you've had such an agonizing year. I had no idea.
ReplyDeleteBut . . . how wonderful to know that God has been at work and the you see that. Part of the process of being molded and changed includes our willingness to be molded and to have a grateful heart.
You're a special lady. I'm so glad to know you. I hope I'll have a chance to see you soon.
Bless you.
In eternity we will understand all of this suffering and why. We grow in the valley, not on the mountain tops, though a better place to be at least once in awhile. Juanita W
ReplyDeletewhisper97304@yahoo.com
Juanita, mountain tops are fabulous places to visit, but the valleys are where we live most of the time. And I noticed that the greatest farm land is always in the valleys. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove,
Bonnie