There’s something about a lump of clay – it’s malleable. In the right hands, with the right tools, the clay moves and becomes a different form or shape. In the Bible, we’re told that we are the clay and God is the potter. The trouble is, “we” aren’t as easily shaped. We resist change. We try to manage our own outcome. We push against God instead of letting Him create solutions for our most difficult decisions. It is then that God pushes and prods – sometimes painfully for us. Most of the time, to get us back on track. Instead of resisting, we should allow Him to do His best work. He knows what the outcome is, before it ever happens. He wrote the book of our lives. He created us, before we were even born. His craftsmanship is flawless. When we let go of our interference, perfection begins.

As any good pot knows, there will be a fire to face at some point.  We will all have to go through trials in this life, but when we’re finished, we will be ready – for eternity with the Master Potter. It’s hard to imagine ourselves as a lifeless piece of clay or dead mass of rock, but when you see the final result – it’s an amazing piece of imagery.  God takes us and shapes us.  He sometimes has to push us to get us motivated.  There are days when he has to re-shape us – not because He has made any mistakes, but because we are unwilling to surrender to His will.  If clay would be left to its own limits, it would stay the same forever.  With God as the potter – we take on shape – we have purpose – we live. 

Dear Creator God, help me to realize that I need your presence in my life every day.  I know you have created me for a purpose.  As I approach my latter days, allow me to see that you are in control and your love for your creation is amazing.  Help me to surrender to your will, so that your artistry will make me ready for heaven.  Amen!

Sculpture made from a church corner stone of limestone by Paul T. Boecher when he was a senior in high school.