Monday, November 15, 2021

The Potter and the Clay

“Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?” (Romans 9:20-21)



God is the Potter and we are the clay

After He designs us

He forms us

Shapes us and

Makes us into His perfect creation


We see His handiworks in everyone


Some we see as beautiful vessels

Some not so attractive to the eye


Some seem to glisten in the light

While others appear dull


Some appear to be for practical use

While others might appear ornamental



From our human mindset

It makes sense for the beautiful ones

The glistening ones

The ornamental ones

To be on display

Front and center

For the useful ones to be placed in readily accessible spots

In God’s Kingdom


Yet


In what we see and experience

This is not always the case


It appears as if God tucks away

Some beautiful ones

Some glistening ones

Some practical ones

On a shelf

Away from the light


Not being showcased

Not being used



Yes we know that

“God uses the foolish things of the world 

to confound the wise

God has chosen the weak things of the world 

to confound things which are strong”



We get that


It is about God’s sovereignty

He is after all 

The Potter

And we are merely the clay



But Lord


What’s the purpose of making a beautiful vessel

And not display it


Why create someone who is gifted in something

And not place the person 

In the right spot to use it


If You have made the person into a potentially useful vessel

Why not put the vessel to use

Why leave it on a shelf

Or only partially use it



Oh the confounding thoughts of God

Oh the confounding ways of God



Your ways are higher than our ways

And Your thought higher than our thoughts



Will You then enable me to see 

Through Your eyes


Help me to see the world 

Through the unique set of eyes You’ve made in me

That my eyes might be a channel of 

what You see 

of my corner of the world 


Take my heart and make it Yours

That my heart might be moved and broken

According to Your heart


In my sphere

In my life

In my little corner of the world



Not according to my expectations

Not according to my desires

Not according to the giftings I see 


In whichever corner or spacious spot

You place Your vessels


Make my thoughts Your thoughts

Make my heart Your heart


That You might have Your way


First in me

Then in my loved ones


As I


As we


All 


Surrender to 

Your thoughts

Your purposes

Your ways


That 


Your Kingdom come

Your will be done

On earth

In our lives


As 


It


Is

 

In



Heaven