But now, O Lord, You are our Father,
We are the clay, and You, our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hand.
Isaiah 64:8
A Violent Process
Our destiny is to be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ, who is love.
But this conforming isn’t a Disney World process.
He is the potter, and we are His clay.
If you have ever watched the pottery process, it is violent!
The clay is slammed against the stone wheel.
The potter’s hands digging and carving as the wheel continues to spin.
Will it ever be finished?
Then, when the wheel stops spinning, the formed pot is thrown into a fiery furnace.
It bakes.
Then finally the pottery is removed.
Shining from the final glaze, the Potter looks and sees His image is reflected in His creation—the real you.
Perfectly and wonderfully made.
Formed for His purpose to reveal His love to a lost and dying world that He loves.
Take heart.
He makes no mistakes and works until He is finished for His glory.
Not only a Potter, but He is also an Author and Finisher of our faith.
Remember, the beauty He sees in you is His reflection.
How might you be trying to form yourself instead of allowing Him to form you?
What are the circumstances, relationships, or callings that you are avoiding that He could use to develop you into the image of Christ?
Lord, life can be challenging even with You ever-present inside and outside. May we not climb off Your wheel, or escape Your knife, or avoid Your gaze (not a typo). You not only have the words of Life, but You are also the Word of Life. Amen