The Master Potter
From the time I was small and climbed the first red dirt hill in Oklahoma, the shapes of mountains captivated me. I could imagine God’s finger shaping each one. The mountains pointed to God in their majestic pose. Mountains lined up in a rhythmic pattern across the horizon, praising God. The valleys and hills rise to God in praise and adoration. They are much like trees, reaching upward for the skies as they grow. The branches bring forth leaves that sing hymns to our Lord and Master.
Mother’s poem, Master Potter, brought a different creation to mind. Potters on earth shape their creations on a wheel using a variety of clay.
Master Potter, our Lord, shapes us for our life on earth. He centers us on the wheel to make sure our shape is pleasing. Our Lord slaps and kneads the clay to make sure it withstands stress. He never takes His Hands away from us while molding and shaping our hearts and minds.
Master Potter sees the beauty and shapes us for a lifetime until we become the beauty He envisions for us. What does it take for us to be moldable in the Master Potter’s Hands?
We, as clay, lie waiting and listening to our Lord to be molded. The more we trust our Master Potter, the quieter we stand and listen. We pray, “Take me, mold me, in Your wondrous Way.”
Only a foolish person would consider himself equal to our Lord. Isaiah 29:15-16 – What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their evil deeds in the dark! “The Lord can’t see us,” they say. “He doesn’t know what’s going on!” How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and He is greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”?
Mother proclaimed Sunday afternoon was nap time when I was a girl. After a year of reading nap-time away under a pink bedspread, I learned the truth in a chance conversation with my mother. God can see ‘under pink bed-spreads’. He knew all along. Then I read Psalm 139:1-3,12-O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do…. even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.
We often try to control situations and those around us. Eve this in the Garden of Eden. Trusting God and resting in Him takes on new meaning with hope when we realize the truth, “I am who God says I am.”
Isaiah 48:17 – This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.”
Understanding Who is the greatest and allowing Him to mold us is the beginning of our deepest joy.
Psalm 31:1-5 – O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.
The Master Potter
Lord, you are the potter,
But let me feel the clay’
You shall do the molding,
And I shall watch each day.
Lord, you are the sculptor,
And while I trembling, stand,
Forms take shape, in wonder
Created by your hand.
What we see misshapen
You change to set it right;
Human blobs of nothing
To souls of pure delight.
Nothing need be wasted
When given to your care;
You are God-Creator
You see the beauty there.
Lord, You are the Master
Of all earth’s willing clay’
Take me then, and mold me
In your wondrous way.
Anna Daisy Siemens, Stand Tall
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