In the potter's hands

I find it fascinating to watch a potter working away at the potter?s wheel. From a novice?s viewpoint, the artisan works so effortlessly to create a beautiful earthen form. Using only the lump of clay, water, and the loving caress of the creator?s hands, the clay is transformed into something unique and interesting. The artisan?s fingers and palms push, guide, expand, and contract the clay as it is lovingly directed to take a new shape. The moistness of the water keeps the clay pliable and soft as the clay is transformed. As long as the clay doesn?t dry out, the clay can always be sculpted into a new and exciting form; a new form but always the same clay. Without the moisture the clay becomes hard and prone to breaking.

We too are just like the potter?s clay. We have no control of the potter?s hands, yet, we take on a new and exciting shape. This is good, this is very good. Change allows us to stretch and grow, taking on a form we may never have imagined. If we allow God to take our lives and sculpt it (yes - push us here, pull us there, and stretch us) a new beautiful form will take its place. God?s loving and careful hands will keep us moisturized and fully pliable to the changes we face.

Change is not always easy and often times we fight it tooth and nail, kicking and screaming all the way. We are comfortable in ?the way it has always been,? it is familiar and non-threatening. Unfortunately, the familiar may become a rut and we no longer allow ourselves to be moisturized by God. The result ? we wear out, crack, and finally break.

If you do not have a regular church home, I warmly invite you to worship at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Allow the loving hands of God to surround you and create a new you. Change is not an event to be feared but to be embraced, allowing it to become a way of life.