Day 7


Made in the Hand of God



 

Jeremiah 18:4- "But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make" (NASB).

The potter holds the lifeless lump of clay in his hand. He imagines the endless possibilities of its creations, but the purpose of the vessel will emerge as he determines. He feels the clay, learning its unique features to determine the vessel that can be created. He forms the clay by taking it in his hands, molding it, shaping it using the method best suited for the vision he has in mind for the vessel.

Production and purpose are two ideas that dominate our thinking. We want to be successful and we want significance. We serve in ministries, worship in pews, and participate in classes because those are the typical functions of a Christian who is a key player in a church.

This translates to a feeling of self-importance. We see ourselves as the agent for change in the Christian life. We heed the call to “take up your cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). We imagine that the Christian life should be one of effort and determination. So, it is not uncommon for us to feel like we’ve failed when the vessel loses its purpose, because it is our responsibility to fix ourselves to remain in the potter’s hand.

Grace, however, prioritizes the forming that is happening in the potter’s hand. Grace is more about making than producing, being than doing, becoming than performing. Grace highlights the process more than the result.

Jesus told Peter, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). The fisherman reflected later in life that the key to following Jesus was in the making not in the fishing (1 Peter 2:23). It was “gracious” to entrust himself into the hands of the One who would do the making (1 Peter 2:18, 20).

Making him into a fisher of men was not about God using Peter but about God making him. Being a follower of Christ looks like God making something out of this lump of clay. Our purpose is not found in what we do for God, but in what God makes out of us. Our purpose is always about being formed. 

As we go throughout our day, may we rest in the hand of God to be formed, not used. May we not see our purpose in where we work or how we serve. May we enjoy the transformation of an imperfect lump of clay into a beautiful vessel that only God could create by resting in the Potter’s hand.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me a purpose. I will enjoy this day knowing whatever opportunities come my way to in your name are able to happen because of who you are making me to be. I give my all today to follow you as I become the vessel you are forming in me. I exert my energy and focus my mind on what You are doing in my life rather than what I am doing for you. May I rest today trusting that no matter what happens I am safe in your hand. Amen.

Click this link to find out more about the influence of grace from my new book "Living Under the Influence: How Grace Sets Us Free from the Performance Mindset." Click this link to visit my author's website.














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