For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Producing art, whether for functional use, aesthetic value, or some combination of the two, takes effort and skill. In my youth I used to tool leather. I made belts, purses, bible covers, etc. At times I used kits, regularly I used precut pieces such as belt blanks while the remainder of the time I started with a piece of tanned hide. Obviously the latter required the most effort in that I had to decide what I was making, its intended purpose, its shape, and its dimensions. From there the cutting had to be precise which was not easy with a utility knife. Once cut, the leather had to be moistened to keep it pliable so that the stamping and carving could be done properly and evenly. After being tooled it had to be died and finished. Each piece was unique and an investment of time, effort, and creativity. The process was a very faint imitation of how God has created each of us.
Scripture uses the analogy of the potter and the clay to explain God’s workmanship in our creation. All of the challenges that we face are akin to clay being thrown onto the potter’s wheel, the pressure to shape and mold, glazing to add character and heat to be finished or set. God has created and refined each of us with a great amount of love, skill, planning and foresight for specific reasons and tasks and to be woven in and out of other people’s lives. He has given us His word, biblical examples, as well as godly messages and people in our lives to keep us pliable. Ephesians 2:10 and Proverbs 16:4 provide a balanced view of this topic. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” “The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.” When we consider our lives, their challenges, our strengths and weaknesses, we have two choices: we can question God or accept His will for us and work to glorify Him by His strength within our limitations.
“Why?” It’s a common question many facing significant and even some less significant trials want to ask. How we ask that question sets the tone for our relationship with God. There are two options. The first is to approach God with anger, bitterness and rage. Rather than drawing us closer to God, it distances us from Him. We are in essence putting Him on trial. There seem to be a lot of people condoning this attitude saying that God can take it. While He is certainly capable of dealing with anything we dish out, is that really how we want to approach God? That sort of insolence shows little respect for God and His position. Should we as mere mortals with finite minds and strength attempt to challenge the all-powerful, all knowing, always present sovereign Lord of all things, His plans or His wisdom? I think not, but don’t take my word for it. Consider three straightforward passages from scripture. “Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the Lord, and whose deeds are done in a dark place, and they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?” You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, that what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”; or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?” (Isaiah 29:15-16) “Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker— an earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?” (Isaiah 45:9) “On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?” (Romans 9:20-22) Further Job, a righteous man in God’s eyes, started down that path. Briefly, God’s position was “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.” Wisely, Job pulled back and responded with clearer understanding. “Then Job answered the Lord and said, ‘Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; even twice, and I will add nothing more.’” (Job 40:1-5) The second option is to humbly pour out our hearts to God as we ask “why?” Even with humility, God is not required to answer that question. However, on occasion He may give enough to satisfy us, yet I doubt that our mental capacity is able to fully appreciate all of the ways God can and does use us. Yet even when we aren’t given a response, our meekness allows us to remain pliable and draw close to God. It permits God to continue to shape and mold us to be used by Him. It also opens our hearts and minds to receive God’s grace and comfort during difficult times. The pain is real, but so is God’s faithfulness, peace and presence with us.
Revelation 4:11 reminds us that God created all things. Because of His will, we exist and were created. He affectionately planned us, fashioned us, and chose us. As we mature, be begin to bypass the why and ask instead “Please sustain me and how do you want to use me in this situation?” and we begin to look for God at work. It doesn’t make the pain any less intense, but it does allow us to look beyond to pain to the eternal value that can be achieved. As Ephesians 2:10 says, God created us with purpose. What He teaches us through His word and through the experiences in our lives prepares us for our preordained tasks. They enable us to help others and glorify God. So no matter how well we function or how limited our world is, we have an important role to play in God’s kingdom. God is at work in and through us so we should be thankful for that. We are called by God’s name and were created for His glory (from Isaiah 43:7) yet we each have different purposes. As 2 Timothy 2 discusses, every household has various kinds of vessels, some for honor and some for dishonor. By humbly accepting His will for us, drawing near to Him and turning away from sin, we become vessels of honor useful for His service…“prepared for every good work”.
In preparation for writing this post, I found the following prayer. I pray that it will encourage you as much as it has me.
The Potter’s Prayer
JEHOVAH RAPHA, we come before Your THRONE OF GRACE requesting Your Holy Presence. We bow down and pour out our hearts to You, oh Lord. We have been captured by Your Holy calling. Cleanse our mind, body and soul, make us pure and whole as we are washed by the BLOOD of the Lamb. Take us, mold us, fill us, lead us and walk beside us as we give our lives to You, the MASTER POTTER!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)
Draw us into Your gentle presence, guide us with the HOLY SPIRIT. Teach us, Dear Lord, to live all of our lives through Your eyes. We are the clay that has been slammed onto a hard-spinning wheel, flying around seemingly out of control. Under pressure most times, being squashed and squeezed for the fire which lies ahead. But YOUR gentle voice says: fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I AM YOUR GOD. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with the right hand of MY righteousness.
In light of God’s immense care in creating you, look past your trials and limitations to the valuable purpose(s) for which you alone were created. Gratefully accept your position and glorify God in the opportunities to serve Him that you have been granted remembering that you are a precious part of His kingdom.
It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Will