The Clay and the Potter

   There once was a lump of clay.  There was nothing special about the clay, it had no great beauty; it was simply a lump of clay.

   One day the potter placed the clay on his wheel and began to shape it as he had planned.  Under his skilled hands a footed vase began to take shape.  In the careful forming and molding of the clay, the vision of the potter was emerging.  It was not to be large, nor was it to be ornately decorated, but it would be quite beautiful none the less.

   At last the vase was finished, fired, painted and glazed just as the potter had planned.  Though it might never be a highly valued possession it would give joy by its’ simplicity and understated beauty.  The potter was pleased.

   We are that lump of clay, shaped by God.  From the beginning, long before we came into being, He knew His plans for us, plans to make us into a uniquely beautiful person formed by His hands and His will for us.

   Unlike that lump of clay, however, we can resist the Potter’s work.  We can decide we don’t want to be what God has planned for us.  In short, the clay can say “no” to the Potter.  We can choose our own path, ignoring His plans for us.  By doing so we will never know the beauty and holiness that is our intended destiny.

   I sometimes feel that I repeat this too often but, once again, the choice is ours.  We can become the person God would have us be and share in His glory for all eternity or we can become a misshapen lump of clay serving self and Satan.  The choice is always ours.

Lord mold me as You wish.

Make me holy.

Amen