Sometimes, mistakes can lead us to repentance, and in our humility we can see how much our Savior loves us. The painful feeling of sorrow sticks to guilt like a mishmash of superglue and confetti. An array of colors; darks, and lights seem to form, highlighting more dark than light. Or are we the neutral color of clay? Does anyone see the cracks in our clay-formed pottery exterior?
Does anyone see our impulsive choices? Did we sabotage a wonderful friendship with a quick response? Did we share someone’s personal story under the statement, “Can you pray for so and so who is in crisis? Here are the details.” Why couldn’t we stop at “Can you pray for her? God knows the details.” Oops, I am an imperfect human.
We are a clump of cold beige clay being molded; by the people around us, our own thoughts (whether truth or not), the words of affirmation or curse that are expressed from friends, family or the community, and also the whisperings from our Creator God. Did we let Him lead? Did we push forward again without so much as a “Jesus, what do you think?”
Jeremiah 18: 1 – 3 The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, ” Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at the wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.
We can have little stones or hard spots embedded in our clay clump by the words or actions of others, for good or in hard times. We can feel the spin on the Potters wheel, around and around, repeating the lies of the enemy, ” you aren’t good enough, you will always be a mistake, you can’t do better”, and as a result, we feel our journey become smaller and more lumpy. We can’t hold on to lies; they are meant to hold us back and stop the trajectory of the Lord’s plan for our future. Did you know the pottery term crawling means “when the clay doesn’t stick to the glaze due to dust not cleaned off the surface? Lies can be like dust that needs to be removed before the glaze can stick and shimmer correctly.
Picture this, the Lord is the Potter, and we are the clay. We are imperfect. Yes, I said it; you are imperfect. You have blemishes, imperfections that need to be kneaded out. You have hard spots of clay, as do I, that need a splash of the Living Water of Jesus.
Do you thirst for a different course like fewer stones? Open your heart, mind, and soul, and let Him pour life back into you. He wants to refresh His children. Let His hand on the Potters wheel work out the blemishes and bring smooth, softer clay along with a more Christlike example. The eyes of your circle of influence are watching your journey.
How do we combat the imperfections and believe in the Lord’s promises? We must spend time learning His Truths in the Bible. We must clear out the cobwebs of past lies, blowing instead in the whisperings of God. We must claim the truths of scripture; here are a few scriptures that have empowered my walk with Jesus. Write the words of life on an index card and tape the message on your bedroom mirror, refrigerator, on your car visor, or wherever it will encourage your day.
I am more than a Conqueror in Christ ( Romans 8:37)
I am made uniquely. ( Psalm 139: 13 -14)
I am God’s workmanship ( Ephesians 2:10)
I am loved. ( 1 John 3:1)
He delights in me. ( Zephaniah 3:17)
I am His, wanted ( Psalm 139:17)
He has plans for my life. ( Jeremiah 29:11)
He works best in my weakness. ( 2 Corinthians 12:19)
Meditating on these scriptures daily can change our minds; Romans 12:2 states, “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” We must put down our need to be in control and allow God’s words to change our lives. Don’t be afraid to ask a fellow brother or sister in Christ to pray for you and share Godly wisdom. We are blessed with other sojourners who are placed in our lives to help. Galatians 6:1 -2 reminds us to gently and humbly help that person onto the right path. You may be surprised who else may need comfort and support. Ask the Lord to guide you to the specific person. We are works in progress, and He wants to transform us.
Aren’t you grateful for ” do-overs?” Let the peace and grace of God into those imperfections and be ready for renewal; his hands can soften even the hardest clay.
