Thru the Fire

Isaiah 64:8 "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our Potter; And all we are the word of Your hand."

What are the thoughts you have of yourself? Are there any features/imperfections that you would like to change? I'm certain I can rattle off a long list of things I wish I could change about myself. However, I have learned to accept myself for who God has made me to be and embrace it. As I've said before our imperfections are what make us unique and could very well be what sets us apart to be used for the good of the Kingdom. Also, we must be careful how we criticize ourselves and our flaws because in a sense we are criticizing the work of God's mighty hand. God took the time to individually mold each and everyone of us.

Ceramic pottery is one of the most beautiful work of arts you'll ever see, but it doesn't start out that way (there is a process). In fact, the beautiful pottery starts out as clay (mud) yet through the kneading process, molding, flaming, painting, then flaming again a beautiful piece of pottery is produced. The kneading process is crucial to the molding process in that the kneading toughens the clay up preparing it for the molding process. After being worked and molded the clay is fixed at a high temperature of about 850 degrees. It is after this first flame that the finishing touches are painted only for this true beauty to be revealed after more high heat.

So, clay (like us) starts out weak and easily transforms. Once it goes through the heat (troubles, tough times, etc.) it comes out solid and strong (like us). Still after that there is more to the process that includes more heat (troubles, rough conditions), but in the end a beautiful piece is made (you and I) and everything the clay went through was worth it. Just like each piece of custom made pottery we all have to go through the fire to solidify who/what God has molded us into to. Don't complain about the process, trust the process.