Clay in the Hands

As I drove to work this morning, I plugged in and listened to some Gungor.  To be honest, my mind was on the mountain of tasks that this day holds.  So I wasn’t really listening to the words of the song.  But one sentence caught my attention.

Jesus – your the one who saves us – constantly creates us into something new.

Has Jesus saved you?  Is he creating you into something new?

When we turn the control of our lives over to Jesus, he begins his work.  You see, when we make the decision to follow Jesus and his teachings, we don’t automatically and magically become all that God wants for us.  Growing in our relationship with God and as a follower in the Way is a journey – a progression.  But it is constantly happening.

I guess that is the word that stuck out for me this morning – constant.

As I have mused over this little word I have been reminded that the Holy Spirit uses all kinds of things to shape us – to mold us into the people we were created to be in this world.  Think about this – just about everything you do today and everything that you encounter could be meant to be a growing opportunity – a learning experience – a part of the process and progress.

That means that the little inconvenience you experience when the person just drops by to say Hi! and it turns into an unplanned 30 minute interruption may be intended to grow you.  That added task you did not have on your To Do list when you got up this morning is meant as a life lesson.

The key is being sensitive to this process and being willing to be molded.

Years ago, I chose the name of this blog – Clay In The Hands – intentionally.  As a follower of Jesus, we must see ourselves as clay to be shaped.  But dried out clay isn’t pliable – it can’t be shaped.  In order for the artist to be able to turn a lump of clay into something beautiful, the clay must be willing.

Are you willing today to be molded – to be constantly created?

Read Full Post »

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, we read of preparations being made for Jesus’ coming to be born.  Accounts are offered in this passage of God sending angels as messengers to announce how all of this was to come about.

An angel appeared to Mary and told her she had been selected to bear the savior.  He explained that through the power of God, she would become pregnant and give birth to God’s son.

Now I don’t know about you but that might just be a little overwhelming for most of us to hear.  Not to mention the fact that an angel just appeared to give her the message.  I’m not sure how long I would have stuck around – or at least how long I would have remained conscious.

But the thing that amazes me even more about this account is Mary’s composure and response.  After a question or two, she simply says, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled.”

She completely submitted to what she was being told and offered herself as God’s servant.

I have to ask myself, would I have been that willing?  And honestly, the real question is – “Am I that willing?”

God has a plan for each of us.  God has given you specific talents, skills and passions to play a role in creation that only you can play.  How willing are you to say, “I am ready – may your plan be fulfilled in me today.”?

Mary showed great faith and courage.

May we do the same.

Read Full Post »

Today, I decided to do something a little different. It has been a while since I read much from the minor prophets.  So I turned to Habakkuk.  I read through his questions to God and the resulting answers God offered him.

I was moved by the prophets honesty and transparency before God.  I caused me to think about how the prophet felt and what he might have been enduring.  There are so many similarities between the environment in which the prophet lived and ours today.  There is so much injustice in the world.  Particularly, in our society, our priorities are so messed up that we don’t even see the true picture of what goes on daily in our own communities.

But God answered Habakkuk’s cries with this, “Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed.  For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

Do you ever think we need God to do something in our days that completely blows our minds?  I think we are there!

I think it is fitting during this Advent season, as we anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ coming to earth, that we lay our hearts before God, and join in with Habakkuk, asking God to move in a mighty way – not some day – now.

In Habakkuk 3, we are given a prayer that Habakkuk offered to God.  It begins, “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord.  Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”

That is my prayer today.

Read Full Post »