It was a great gift because this last month has been one of intense pressure, re-centering and molding. This revelation brought great inspiration and healing to my heart. It spoke so much life to me. I'm hoping it will do the same to you. Below is a part of my journal entry from that lovely Sunday morning...
"But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our Potter; we are all the work of Your hand." -Isaiah 64:8 (ESV)
How ironic I read that passage on Father's Day while looking at a pottery wheel...
Throwing clay is a funny thing. It's such a great analogy between us and God.
All we are is dirt. Muck. Mud. Nothing beautiful or functional about us. But the Potter already has a beautiful design in mind. He knows when to apply pressure, when the clay will be stretched thin and when He has to trim off parts of the clay...but those actions are never mistakes, they're all part of the beautiful design.
The only time things get messy is when the clay is thrown off center.
When the clay seems to have a mind of it's own; that's when things get imbalanced, wobbly, and sometimes totally torn apart. Some minor imbalances take just a quick re-centering, while some bigger damages take totally starting over...but that doesn't mean the clay is finished; it just has to be remolded in parts.
The process is also different not only in the design, but also by the actual type of clay used. Gray clay, red clay--how smooth it is depends on its origin. No one clay is better than the other; they each have a purpose. Some are really good for functionality, while others are better for artistic purposes. Each is different, each has a different composition and purpose. Often, when the Potter is working with the clay, pieces of rock and shard begin to surface under the Potter's molding pressure. Some clay has more shard pieces than others due to its more rough origin.
When the pieces surface, the Potter simply stops the wheel, carefully and precisely removes the piece with gentleness and then immediately resumes his work while filling in the little hole left from removing the debris.
No matter how much debris surfaces, no matter how imbalanced things get, the Potter is always working with His hands. He is constantly engaged--constantly focused on His work. If He stops, the clay dries up and cracks--loosing it's ability to be molded.
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Is there really a better analogy for our walk with God and the process of becoming more like how He designed us to be? There are times of lots of pressure--but that's when the clay takes on the most shape. There are times when there is little pressure--but His hands are still fully engaged.
He is always working.
The Potter--our Potter--never gets bored with His work. He never begins something and then moves on. He is continually working on us and molding us into His likeness and original design--a beautiful design that is glorifying to its Creator.
When people see a masterpiece, they admire its beauty but don't give the credit to the art itself; they give the glory to the Master artist. They say, "Wow, how skilled this Artist is that He can turn dirt into something extraordinary!" They don't say, "Wow, look at you clay for becoming a beautiful pot!" That doesn't work.The clay remains mud without the gentle, attentive and caring touch of the Potter.
Jesus,
I am Your clay, You are my Potter.
I AM NOTHING WITHOUT YOU.
You alone form me. You alone make me beautiful. And You alone are the Master Artist and You have a wonderful design for me.
Thank You for Your gentle creativity. Thank You for Your artistry.Your molding work in me inspires me to let go, be shaped and be creative myself throughout the whole process.
I love you.
Love, Hanna
The above pictures are nothing special, just a variety from my Canon and Iphone :)
