Beep...beep...beep...beep.
I didn't want to get up - not THIS morning. The bed was way too comfortable and my eyes were way too heavy...that is, until my thoughts started barreling out of control. "What if's?" began whirling in my mind. Honestly, I have no idea where these thoughts came from, but I knew I had to break away fast, or my day would be spent "What if'ing." So, I jumped up out of bed...literally...shaking the thoughts off in the covers.
I headed into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee, and that's when I saw it. PEACE. There was no wind outside. Everything was quiet and still - as still as I have ever seen it. It was unusual. I even went downstairs into the sunroom to get a better look. Normally, the leaves are stirring, at least a little. But not this morning. This morning, it seemed everything was unusually calm - unusually still.
It was a that point that I felt the Spirit - way deep down in my bones - say, "Be still and know that I am God," and the brows that had been fixed in a scowl from my earlier thoughts, relaxed. I grinned. "Be still and know that I am God." What an awesome verse for my troubled and tortured mind today. "Be still, Belinda. and know that whatever is...I AM."
After staring outside for a little longer, letting that stillness sink in a little deeper, I decided to find out where the verse actually was in reference to the Scripture. I sat down and searched through the front of my Bible which contains a Cyclopedic Index. This index is a wonderful tool of study. It lists tons of words and underneath them, it lists the references where you can find the words in Scripture, based on their use.
I searched the list for the word "still," and turned to passage after passage. I wasn't finding it. I checked "God's presence - Ps. 139:18," "Peace - Jer. 47:6," "Meditating - Ps. 4:4," and a couple of other passage descriptions, but to no avail. Then, finally, I tried one more reference. Surely it wouldn't be under this one: "Submission - Ps. 46:10." After all, what does submission have to do with being still and knowing that He is God. Guess what? Evidently, submission has everything to do with being still and knowing that He is God.
For you see, when we submit our lives to Him - when we choose to obey His command and be still for a moment, recognizing that everything must enter our lives through His LOVING hands in order to reach us - that He has His good in mind for our lives - that He is still in control no matter how out of control things seem to be - the stillness comes, first penetrating our heart, then our mind, then our body - bringing hope and stillness to our weary souls.
Thank You, Jesus, for being the Bearer of peace this morning. Thank You that when my mind starts reeling with disturbing thoughts, that You aren't disturbed in the least. You are confident that everything is still under Your control. Thank You that even if my "what if's," happen today, You still call me to KNOW that YOU are GOD. Thank You, that I can trust and believe in Your goodness for me, and Your desire for my life to be a testimony for Your glory. You, indeed, are God, and I choose to rest in that today.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Who Are You and What Has God Called You to Be?
Can't you just imagine the irritable and despondent attitudes? Peter and his buddies had been fishing all night and caught nothing.
I don't know if you have a fisherman in your family, but I do. Both our sons LOVE to fish, but the older of the two is especially captivated by the sport. He has different fishing poles for different purposes. Actually, I was just informed by the younger brother that the correct term is fishing "rods," not "poles." Anyway, Alex has different lures and bobbers and line for every occasion. He actually STUDIES to fish.
Oh, and if by some chance - some wild, crazy chance - you are reading this column, watch out Bill Dance. Alex is coming for your job!
My son amazes me, in that he can tie more fishing knots, than I can tie regular knots. However, sometimes he uses this knowledge to make his old fishermom a little jealous. You can imagine the looks I get when I try to tie a hook onto the younger brother's line. I am quickly informed that I'm not doing it right, and it's not going to hold. Of course, it doesn't matter that when I was growing up, I tied millions of regular knots on my fishing line, which held up quite well. But I guess I just was fortunate...since I didn't know how to tie the particular knot for the particular occasion!
As my husband brought out yesterday in his message, Jesus - a carpenter - climbed into Peter's boat - a fisherman by trade - and proceeded to tell him how to catch fish. Peter said, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing: nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net" (Luke 5: 5). Imagine Peter's surprise when he did as the Carpenter told him to do and the fish - that had been non-existent all night - almost beat themselves silly to get into the net on their own free will. Luke tells us the abundance of fish was actually breaking the nets, and because of that, Peter had to call over another boat to help. They filled that boat, and then it began to sink, filled to capacity with fish. At that point, Peter looks up, realizes the Carpenter wasn't merely a carpenter. He was the Lord - "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Peter exclaimed (v. 8).
Peter knew fishing. Peter knew how to mend nets to make them hold. He probably even knew how to tie a few more knots than my child, but what Peter didn't know, was what Jesus knew. Yes, Peter was a fisherman by trade, but he wasn't JUST a fisherman. He was a fisher OF men.
There are so many other accounts in Scripture just like this one...where someone saw themselves as something other than what Jesus knew them to be.
Gideon - When God called him a "mighty man," he was hiding in a wine press, afraid the Midianites might come and take his wheat. Gideon "reminded" the Lord that he was the youngest of his family and his tribe was the smallest. Yet through the angel, God spoke Gideon's real purpose and calling: "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"(Judges 6:12). Don't neglect the exclamation point at the end.
Jeremiah - When God called him, he tried to excuse himself, saying that he "cannot speak, for I am a youth" (Jer. 1:6). To which the Lord replied, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord" (vs. 7,8).
And then we have Moses - yes, Red Sea Moses - Israel's liberator from Egypt. When God called him, he gave some of the best excuses ever. He questioned God: "Who am I?" (Ex. 3:11); "What shall I say?" (v.13); "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice" (4:1); "I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue" (v.10); and finally, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send" (v. 13). That one made me chuckle out loud.
Moses, indeed, had to be the winner of the "Called By God Excuse War," but no excuse was good enough for God. Imagine that.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that God sees you and knows you, my friend, as someone other than what you see yourself and know yourself to be. He may have in mind for you to do incredible things to impact His kingdom, and yet, you - as many others have done, including myself - have given Him excuse after excuse as to why you can't do that "thing" He's called you to do. After all, you are busy doing so many OTHER things for His kingdom...things that are good. You're at church every time the doors open. You're on at least two committees, and you stay in the nursery three times a year. Besides, you're not sure you are equipped to do "that thing." You've never done it before.
And yet, God continues to call, for He doesn't want or need what you can do for Him. He wants your surrender. As Steve put it yesterday in his sermon, God cherishes someone who is willing to lay down his own will and desires and exchange them for His will and desire. He wants your friendship - your relationship - your willingness to be obedient out of your ever-growing love for Him.
When God called Peter, he felt unworthy of the call and tried to excuse himself by reminding Jesus of his unworthiness. I'm sure it was incredibly difficult for him to imagine that Jesus could use the "likes of him." But when he finally figured it out - when he finally saw that the Carpenter (who could fish, by the way), knew what He was talking about - Scripture says that Peter "forsook all and followed Him" (Luke 5:11).
Is it time? Is it finally time for you to see yourself as the person that Christ sees and knows you to be? Is it finally time for you to stop "doing things" for Jesus and begin to please Him in your surrender? Is it time for you to "forsake all and follow Him?"
I think so...no, I know so.
Thank You, Jesus, for calling us...and equipping us to do exactly what You desire for us...nothing more, nothing less. You know what we were created to do. Help us see that so that we can become busy about doing the things that please You and build Your kingdom. Thank You for being patient with us, Jesus. Thank You.
I don't know if you have a fisherman in your family, but I do. Both our sons LOVE to fish, but the older of the two is especially captivated by the sport. He has different fishing poles for different purposes. Actually, I was just informed by the younger brother that the correct term is fishing "rods," not "poles." Anyway, Alex has different lures and bobbers and line for every occasion. He actually STUDIES to fish.
Oh, and if by some chance - some wild, crazy chance - you are reading this column, watch out Bill Dance. Alex is coming for your job!
My son amazes me, in that he can tie more fishing knots, than I can tie regular knots. However, sometimes he uses this knowledge to make his old fishermom a little jealous. You can imagine the looks I get when I try to tie a hook onto the younger brother's line. I am quickly informed that I'm not doing it right, and it's not going to hold. Of course, it doesn't matter that when I was growing up, I tied millions of regular knots on my fishing line, which held up quite well. But I guess I just was fortunate...since I didn't know how to tie the particular knot for the particular occasion!
As my husband brought out yesterday in his message, Jesus - a carpenter - climbed into Peter's boat - a fisherman by trade - and proceeded to tell him how to catch fish. Peter said, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing: nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net" (Luke 5: 5). Imagine Peter's surprise when he did as the Carpenter told him to do and the fish - that had been non-existent all night - almost beat themselves silly to get into the net on their own free will. Luke tells us the abundance of fish was actually breaking the nets, and because of that, Peter had to call over another boat to help. They filled that boat, and then it began to sink, filled to capacity with fish. At that point, Peter looks up, realizes the Carpenter wasn't merely a carpenter. He was the Lord - "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Peter exclaimed (v. 8).
Peter knew fishing. Peter knew how to mend nets to make them hold. He probably even knew how to tie a few more knots than my child, but what Peter didn't know, was what Jesus knew. Yes, Peter was a fisherman by trade, but he wasn't JUST a fisherman. He was a fisher OF men.
There are so many other accounts in Scripture just like this one...where someone saw themselves as something other than what Jesus knew them to be.
Gideon - When God called him a "mighty man," he was hiding in a wine press, afraid the Midianites might come and take his wheat. Gideon "reminded" the Lord that he was the youngest of his family and his tribe was the smallest. Yet through the angel, God spoke Gideon's real purpose and calling: "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"(Judges 6:12). Don't neglect the exclamation point at the end.
Jeremiah - When God called him, he tried to excuse himself, saying that he "cannot speak, for I am a youth" (Jer. 1:6). To which the Lord replied, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord" (vs. 7,8).
And then we have Moses - yes, Red Sea Moses - Israel's liberator from Egypt. When God called him, he gave some of the best excuses ever. He questioned God: "Who am I?" (Ex. 3:11); "What shall I say?" (v.13); "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice" (4:1); "I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue" (v.10); and finally, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send" (v. 13). That one made me chuckle out loud.
Moses, indeed, had to be the winner of the "Called By God Excuse War," but no excuse was good enough for God. Imagine that.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that God sees you and knows you, my friend, as someone other than what you see yourself and know yourself to be. He may have in mind for you to do incredible things to impact His kingdom, and yet, you - as many others have done, including myself - have given Him excuse after excuse as to why you can't do that "thing" He's called you to do. After all, you are busy doing so many OTHER things for His kingdom...things that are good. You're at church every time the doors open. You're on at least two committees, and you stay in the nursery three times a year. Besides, you're not sure you are equipped to do "that thing." You've never done it before.
And yet, God continues to call, for He doesn't want or need what you can do for Him. He wants your surrender. As Steve put it yesterday in his sermon, God cherishes someone who is willing to lay down his own will and desires and exchange them for His will and desire. He wants your friendship - your relationship - your willingness to be obedient out of your ever-growing love for Him.
When God called Peter, he felt unworthy of the call and tried to excuse himself by reminding Jesus of his unworthiness. I'm sure it was incredibly difficult for him to imagine that Jesus could use the "likes of him." But when he finally figured it out - when he finally saw that the Carpenter (who could fish, by the way), knew what He was talking about - Scripture says that Peter "forsook all and followed Him" (Luke 5:11).
Is it time? Is it finally time for you to see yourself as the person that Christ sees and knows you to be? Is it finally time for you to stop "doing things" for Jesus and begin to please Him in your surrender? Is it time for you to "forsake all and follow Him?"
I think so...no, I know so.
Thank You, Jesus, for calling us...and equipping us to do exactly what You desire for us...nothing more, nothing less. You know what we were created to do. Help us see that so that we can become busy about doing the things that please You and build Your kingdom. Thank You for being patient with us, Jesus. Thank You.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Why I'll Never Look at Bacon and My Kitchen Cabinets the Same Again
The people should have been rejoicing to see their Savior, but instead, they did the unthinkable. They asked Him to leave.
In Matthew 8, we find Jesus and the disciples finally reaching land after spending a harrowing time (for the disciples, at least) on some really rough seas. The group gets out of the boat only to be greeted by a frightful sight - two crazed, demon-possessed men. Scripture states these men were so violent, that no one passed their way. People avoided them altogether, afraid to come too close for fear of contact. Everyone, that is, except Jesus.
In Matthew's account, He speaks with them and ultimately, the demons that had tortured these poor men for who knows how long, begged the Savior to be driven out and into a herd of pigs nearby.
Jesus said, "Go!" and they went.
Now, I have seen pigs on occasion that I thought were demon-possessed. One, the size of a small bus, actually crossed the road in front of my car a couple of years ago. Scared me to death. I had always dreaded the idea that one day I could hit a deer or a dog, but the thought never entered my mind that my car could be totaled by a huge, black and white sow!
But these pigs in Jesus' sight, weren't just big and grumpy and out-of-sorts, running across the road. These pigs were truly demon-possessed. Can you imagine the sound of squealing and shrieking? Scripture says the whole herd "rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water."
It must have been a sight to behold - and it was BEHELD, for the men who were tending the pigs saw the whole thing and ran off, telling all that they had seen, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. At that point, the scene must have been reminiscent of a Frankenstein movie, because Scripture says the whole town went out to meet Jesus. I'm not talking about just the head's of state or the county commissioners. The Bible says "the whole town."
I'm sure the disciples must have thought they were going to get framed certificates and colorful banners waved in their honor. Surely the people would be thrilled that they could once again, wander through their land, not fearing the violence of those demon-possessed agitators. Surely the people would be overcome with joy at the return of these men to their families. Surely so, but sadly, not. The verse that I fear is one of the saddest in the New Testament states: "Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region."
Just as the demons pleaded with Jesus to send them into the pigs, the people pleaded with Jesus to GO AWAY! He had set them free. He had returned their brothers. He had given them back their ability to really LIVE and walk uninhibitedly through their own land, and they gave Him the proverbial "boot."
That's just one of those times when you have to look up and ask, "Why in the world?" You would think they would have wanted to see Jesus enthroned as king. You would think they would at least be grateful, but instead, I think they were fearful.
One possible reason for this strange act could be that these men were Jews, and Jews and pigs didn't mix. Pigs were considered "unclean" animals. In today's vernacular, it's the same thing as bacon not being kosher. Yet, these men had a whole herd of pigs....possibly thousands of them. They were doing something they knew was against their belief system...they knew was against their Law. Simply put, they were "in sin," and they knew it.
Then, along comes Jesus and not only judges their sin, but removes it from them...literally. I imagine the fear and awe, coupled with anger from their loss of profits, caused quite a riot in town. So, in a way, I can see why they asked Him to leave.
In all reality, I have done the same thing, myself, just in a different way. Sadly, I think we all have, but I'll use myself as an example to explain it more thoroughly.
On days when I find myself in particularly, stressful situations, I tend to have a more personal relationship with my kitchen cabinets...or actually, the items in my kitchen cabinets. I think I've written about this before, so for those of you who know my battle, please be patient and read on!
Anyway, during those stressful times - during those moments when I feel as if I need to eat the entire bag of chocolate chips, instead of just a handful - I always hear this quiet voice inside my heart speak to me: "Stop." I immediately know that it's the Spirit's convicting work. It's not like I stand there and have to look around the kitchen wondering where that little voice came from. I am fully aware of WHO it is that speaks. I am fully aware that I am heading for disaster...that the thing that I am about to do is sinful and against my Lord Jesus. AND YET...I open the cabinet anyway, shove the prized chocolate chips in my mouth by the handful, and without speaking a word, I plead with Him to "leave my region." It's the same as looking at Christ with melted chocolate dripping from the corners of my mouth and say, "Get out of my kitchen. You don't belong here. This is MY kitchen and I'll do what I want in here!"
Ouch! See what I mean? We allow Jesus to penetrate some places in our lives, but keep Him out of others. We beg Him to leave spiritually, just as the people in His day, begged Him to leave physically. "Don't touch that, Jesus. Don't touch that sin. Don't touch that hidden place. It's mine. I'll handle it" And yet, Jesus knows that THAT place - that sin - is the very thing that He needs to touch...to rid you of...to free you from.
He's not out to get you. He's out to GET YOU.
There's nothing to be fearful of, for Jesus simply wants to free you and me from all the things that keep us from experiencing the abundant life we were created to enjoy. He knows what limits our walk with Him. He's keenly aware of the things that make us afraid and keep us from totally enjoying Him and everything He has for us.
Oh, my friend...let's not be a part of sending Him away today. Invite Him into the deep recesses of your life, not just into the doorway. Invite Him into the places where the hidden sins lurk and hold you fast. Oh, and don't be afraid for Him to open a door and reach for a broom. Hand Him one when He walks in!
Jesus, we beg You to stay, today...not that You ever leave us, but we beg You to remain in us...in the entire US. We beg You to remain within EVERY part of our being, not just the comfortable, clean-looking parts. Cleanse our hearts today of every willful act and bring us into the abundant life You so desperately want us to have. Thank You for being gentle in Your judgment and kind in your rebukes, Jesus. May we respond appropriately. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
In Matthew 8, we find Jesus and the disciples finally reaching land after spending a harrowing time (for the disciples, at least) on some really rough seas. The group gets out of the boat only to be greeted by a frightful sight - two crazed, demon-possessed men. Scripture states these men were so violent, that no one passed their way. People avoided them altogether, afraid to come too close for fear of contact. Everyone, that is, except Jesus.
In Matthew's account, He speaks with them and ultimately, the demons that had tortured these poor men for who knows how long, begged the Savior to be driven out and into a herd of pigs nearby.
Jesus said, "Go!" and they went.
Now, I have seen pigs on occasion that I thought were demon-possessed. One, the size of a small bus, actually crossed the road in front of my car a couple of years ago. Scared me to death. I had always dreaded the idea that one day I could hit a deer or a dog, but the thought never entered my mind that my car could be totaled by a huge, black and white sow!
But these pigs in Jesus' sight, weren't just big and grumpy and out-of-sorts, running across the road. These pigs were truly demon-possessed. Can you imagine the sound of squealing and shrieking? Scripture says the whole herd "rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water."
It must have been a sight to behold - and it was BEHELD, for the men who were tending the pigs saw the whole thing and ran off, telling all that they had seen, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. At that point, the scene must have been reminiscent of a Frankenstein movie, because Scripture says the whole town went out to meet Jesus. I'm not talking about just the head's of state or the county commissioners. The Bible says "the whole town."
I'm sure the disciples must have thought they were going to get framed certificates and colorful banners waved in their honor. Surely the people would be thrilled that they could once again, wander through their land, not fearing the violence of those demon-possessed agitators. Surely the people would be overcome with joy at the return of these men to their families. Surely so, but sadly, not. The verse that I fear is one of the saddest in the New Testament states: "Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region."
Just as the demons pleaded with Jesus to send them into the pigs, the people pleaded with Jesus to GO AWAY! He had set them free. He had returned their brothers. He had given them back their ability to really LIVE and walk uninhibitedly through their own land, and they gave Him the proverbial "boot."
That's just one of those times when you have to look up and ask, "Why in the world?" You would think they would have wanted to see Jesus enthroned as king. You would think they would at least be grateful, but instead, I think they were fearful.
One possible reason for this strange act could be that these men were Jews, and Jews and pigs didn't mix. Pigs were considered "unclean" animals. In today's vernacular, it's the same thing as bacon not being kosher. Yet, these men had a whole herd of pigs....possibly thousands of them. They were doing something they knew was against their belief system...they knew was against their Law. Simply put, they were "in sin," and they knew it.
Then, along comes Jesus and not only judges their sin, but removes it from them...literally. I imagine the fear and awe, coupled with anger from their loss of profits, caused quite a riot in town. So, in a way, I can see why they asked Him to leave.
In all reality, I have done the same thing, myself, just in a different way. Sadly, I think we all have, but I'll use myself as an example to explain it more thoroughly.
On days when I find myself in particularly, stressful situations, I tend to have a more personal relationship with my kitchen cabinets...or actually, the items in my kitchen cabinets. I think I've written about this before, so for those of you who know my battle, please be patient and read on!
Anyway, during those stressful times - during those moments when I feel as if I need to eat the entire bag of chocolate chips, instead of just a handful - I always hear this quiet voice inside my heart speak to me: "Stop." I immediately know that it's the Spirit's convicting work. It's not like I stand there and have to look around the kitchen wondering where that little voice came from. I am fully aware of WHO it is that speaks. I am fully aware that I am heading for disaster...that the thing that I am about to do is sinful and against my Lord Jesus. AND YET...I open the cabinet anyway, shove the prized chocolate chips in my mouth by the handful, and without speaking a word, I plead with Him to "leave my region." It's the same as looking at Christ with melted chocolate dripping from the corners of my mouth and say, "Get out of my kitchen. You don't belong here. This is MY kitchen and I'll do what I want in here!"
Ouch! See what I mean? We allow Jesus to penetrate some places in our lives, but keep Him out of others. We beg Him to leave spiritually, just as the people in His day, begged Him to leave physically. "Don't touch that, Jesus. Don't touch that sin. Don't touch that hidden place. It's mine. I'll handle it" And yet, Jesus knows that THAT place - that sin - is the very thing that He needs to touch...to rid you of...to free you from.
He's not out to get you. He's out to GET YOU.
There's nothing to be fearful of, for Jesus simply wants to free you and me from all the things that keep us from experiencing the abundant life we were created to enjoy. He knows what limits our walk with Him. He's keenly aware of the things that make us afraid and keep us from totally enjoying Him and everything He has for us.
Oh, my friend...let's not be a part of sending Him away today. Invite Him into the deep recesses of your life, not just into the doorway. Invite Him into the places where the hidden sins lurk and hold you fast. Oh, and don't be afraid for Him to open a door and reach for a broom. Hand Him one when He walks in!
Jesus, we beg You to stay, today...not that You ever leave us, but we beg You to remain in us...in the entire US. We beg You to remain within EVERY part of our being, not just the comfortable, clean-looking parts. Cleanse our hearts today of every willful act and bring us into the abundant life You so desperately want us to have. Thank You for being gentle in Your judgment and kind in your rebukes, Jesus. May we respond appropriately. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
Monday, May 6, 2013
A Surpising Visit to the Potter's House
A couple of weeks ago, our family attended the Selma area revival. I encourage you - if you've never been, to go to the next one. I promise that you will receive a blessing.
One particular night, we found ourselves sitting near the back, watching a video countdown at Selma Tabernacle Church of God. I don't know if you have seen one of these countdowns before, but they are especially helpful during the pre-service time. There's normally a video playing, with a digital clock counting backwards to zero. When the countdown ends, the congregation knows that the service is about to begin.
This night, the video was of a potter working at his wheel, creating something out of clay. Fascinated by the process, I watched intently, as the clock counted down from 5 minutes. The potter slowly and deliberately fashioned something that looked like a bowl out of the lump of clay that was on his wheel.
But all of the sudden, I got quite a surprise. With about 10 seconds left, the potter began to crush the bowl - or so I thought. It really stressed me out for about 2 seconds. "How could he do that? He's not going to have enough time to fix it!"
Okay, so I know I shouldn't be stressed out about those types of things, but I am the person who can't sit and enjoy watching television shows, because I'm always trying to figure out the ending! So, you see my dilemma. This wasn't working out, as I had decided that it should.
I was bummed. I really wanted to see the finished product. I wasn't ready for the video to end, picturing a smashed lump of clay on the screen. And then, lo and behold, all of the sudden, with about 4 seconds to go, I started seeing something else emerge from the potter's wheel. He wasn't smashing the clay vessel at all. He was using his hands to fashion it into something different.
What I had decided in my mind was a bowl, the potter knew was a pitcher. Imagine that...the potter created something different than what I had imagined he would. And the "kicker" - he knew it was going to be a pitcher all along.
So, this week, when I found myself in Jeremiah 18, I had a new appreciation for the following passage: The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear the words." Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. (vs. 1-4).
The vessel that Jeremiah saw was marred. It wasn't worth keeping, and yet, the potter could see potential. He saw what Jeremiah didn't. He saw a beautiful, useful piece of pottery, fashioned out of a pitiful, marred piece of dirt.
God used this visual to show Jeremiah about His own people. Sin had marred them. Sin had caused the people to be broken and useless. BUT God - don't you just love it when He shows up - showed Jeremiah what He could do in His people's brokenness. He showed Jeremiah that just as the potter had control over the clay, that He had control over those who held His name.
Fast forward to today...again - don't you just love it when He shows up - God is still in the Potter's business. He's still taking people that seem useless and marred and changing them into vessels of His glory. He's still molding and shaping lives to bring about His desires...His plans...as it seemed good to the potter to make.
Now, do we always see that? Do we always understand what He's doing? No. We think He's forming us into a bowl, when the whole time, He's making us into a pitcher - not something that holds water, but dispenses it...pours it forth. And sometimes, that process looks nothing like what we thought it should.
Take heart my friend - God knows what He's doing. God is still shaping you. He still has His firm, but gentle touch molding and contouring your life. My encouragement to you is be...pliable. Be flexible. Move when He says, Move. Bend when He whispers Bend. Yield when He says, Yield. The finished product might just surprise you!!!
Thank You, Jesus that You are still shaping and molding me...that You haven't given up on me...and that Your hands are always gentle - always loving - always perfect in Your creation. Mold me Lord, to be a vessel that You can use in Your plan for this world. Thank You for being the Potter. I am the clay, today, Lord. I submit to Your hands. I praise You, Jesus...praise You.
One particular night, we found ourselves sitting near the back, watching a video countdown at Selma Tabernacle Church of God. I don't know if you have seen one of these countdowns before, but they are especially helpful during the pre-service time. There's normally a video playing, with a digital clock counting backwards to zero. When the countdown ends, the congregation knows that the service is about to begin.
This night, the video was of a potter working at his wheel, creating something out of clay. Fascinated by the process, I watched intently, as the clock counted down from 5 minutes. The potter slowly and deliberately fashioned something that looked like a bowl out of the lump of clay that was on his wheel.
But all of the sudden, I got quite a surprise. With about 10 seconds left, the potter began to crush the bowl - or so I thought. It really stressed me out for about 2 seconds. "How could he do that? He's not going to have enough time to fix it!"
Okay, so I know I shouldn't be stressed out about those types of things, but I am the person who can't sit and enjoy watching television shows, because I'm always trying to figure out the ending! So, you see my dilemma. This wasn't working out, as I had decided that it should.
I was bummed. I really wanted to see the finished product. I wasn't ready for the video to end, picturing a smashed lump of clay on the screen. And then, lo and behold, all of the sudden, with about 4 seconds to go, I started seeing something else emerge from the potter's wheel. He wasn't smashing the clay vessel at all. He was using his hands to fashion it into something different.
What I had decided in my mind was a bowl, the potter knew was a pitcher. Imagine that...the potter created something different than what I had imagined he would. And the "kicker" - he knew it was going to be a pitcher all along.
So, this week, when I found myself in Jeremiah 18, I had a new appreciation for the following passage: The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear the words." Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. (vs. 1-4).
The vessel that Jeremiah saw was marred. It wasn't worth keeping, and yet, the potter could see potential. He saw what Jeremiah didn't. He saw a beautiful, useful piece of pottery, fashioned out of a pitiful, marred piece of dirt.
God used this visual to show Jeremiah about His own people. Sin had marred them. Sin had caused the people to be broken and useless. BUT God - don't you just love it when He shows up - showed Jeremiah what He could do in His people's brokenness. He showed Jeremiah that just as the potter had control over the clay, that He had control over those who held His name.
Fast forward to today...again - don't you just love it when He shows up - God is still in the Potter's business. He's still taking people that seem useless and marred and changing them into vessels of His glory. He's still molding and shaping lives to bring about His desires...His plans...as it seemed good to the potter to make.
Now, do we always see that? Do we always understand what He's doing? No. We think He's forming us into a bowl, when the whole time, He's making us into a pitcher - not something that holds water, but dispenses it...pours it forth. And sometimes, that process looks nothing like what we thought it should.
Take heart my friend - God knows what He's doing. God is still shaping you. He still has His firm, but gentle touch molding and contouring your life. My encouragement to you is be...pliable. Be flexible. Move when He says, Move. Bend when He whispers Bend. Yield when He says, Yield. The finished product might just surprise you!!!
Thank You, Jesus that You are still shaping and molding me...that You haven't given up on me...and that Your hands are always gentle - always loving - always perfect in Your creation. Mold me Lord, to be a vessel that You can use in Your plan for this world. Thank You for being the Potter. I am the clay, today, Lord. I submit to Your hands. I praise You, Jesus...praise You.
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