This is a beautiful story by Kent Simpson of how the clay must feel at the hands of the potter. I can relate.
I have a little story that somewhat explains the process of being shaped and molded by the Potter's hands. Each of us is nothing more than a clay vessel cleansed of its impurities. God chooses unworthy and broken vessels of clay for His work.
"Finally the clay sighs in relief as it is gently placed in the center of the Master's view. He ponders with great thought about what He will make of this re-born vessel. Suddenly, the clay experiences a troubling intrusion. Spinning the wooden wheel, the Master begins to form the clay into His heart's delight.
"Having been placed in a small box, the vessel witnesses the closing of a door that only the Master can open. With great intensity a fire begins to breathe its fury all around the clay vessel. Sweating with fear, the vessel struggles to find faith in the midst of this seemingly cruel process. With every hour seeming like years, the vessel weeps every ounce of moisture from its being. Having no more strength of its own, the vessel begins to harden in the Refiner's fire.
"With each new day the once fiery zeal of the vessel draws cold. Discovering the vessel is cool to the touch and cannot harm those who handle it, the Master takes him from the shelf. Knowing he is called to serve the Master, the vessel waits patiently for the anointed brush of the Potter.
I have a little story that somewhat explains the process of being shaped and molded by the Potter's hands. Each of us is nothing more than a clay vessel cleansed of its impurities. God chooses unworthy and broken vessels of clay for His work.
"Pausing, the Potter picks up an abandoned and broken vessel of clay. His empathetic tears fall upon its sinful nature, baptizing it, washing away the years of neglect and abuse. His compassion melts the vessel, resurrecting a new pliable texture. His newfound love for it begins to knead out the lumpy, hard features of its coarse and worldly ways.
"Finally the clay sighs in relief as it is gently placed in the center of the Master's view. He ponders with great thought about what He will make of this re-born vessel. Suddenly, the clay experiences a troubling intrusion. Spinning the wooden wheel, the Master begins to form the clay into His heart's delight.
As the clay feels the strong touch of the Master's hands, he also experiences the swirling of circumstances that he cannot control. Faster and faster, the Potter's wheel turns as He squeezes and shapes the clay, extending its faith and stature. Slowing the wheel, life's problems seem to cease. The Potter sits back and observes His renewed vessel. Noticing a few weaknesses in the vessel, He compresses the clay once again into a shapeless form. Whirling the wheel around even faster than before, causing confusion in the clay.
"As the Potter works the clay, it rises higher and higher. Each finger of the Potter's hand carves deep into the clay, creating deep paths of purpose and destiny. At last, the wheel comes to a halt and the Potter walks away. Standing all alone, the clay begins to cry out for the Master. To his surprise the Potter returns with a sharp, double-edge sword. "What could He possibly want to do with that?" stuttered the vessel. With one clean stroke of the sword of His Word, the clay vessel is freed from the wheel of calamity and confusion. Resting in the hands of its Master, the vessel experiences a great peace as he is handled delicately for a season.
"Having been placed in a small box, the vessel witnesses the closing of a door that only the Master can open. With great intensity a fire begins to breathe its fury all around the clay vessel. Sweating with fear, the vessel struggles to find faith in the midst of this seemingly cruel process. With every hour seeming like years, the vessel weeps every ounce of moisture from its being. Having no more strength of its own, the vessel begins to harden in the Refiner's fire.
As the vessel sees a new glow from his Master's flaming eyes, the vessel recounts its purpose for being created. It recalls the promise of the Potter's return; the vessel begins to reflect. Yearning for deliverance, the smoking vessel cries out with a burning desire to serve His Creator. As the Potter begins to remove the vessel from the furnace, the vessel vows to serve the Master with every part of his being.
Still glowing with passion to tell others about the Potter, the vessel pleads to be used for the Master's glory. Instead, the Potter places the vessel on a cold shelf, knowing that he could scorch another with his heated passion to share his experience. The vessel laments over this chilling experience, waiting impatiently to be called into the service of his Master.
"With each new day the once fiery zeal of the vessel draws cold. Discovering the vessel is cool to the touch and cannot harm those who handle it, the Master takes him from the shelf. Knowing he is called to serve the Master, the vessel waits patiently for the anointed brush of the Potter.
With each unique and personal stroke of the Master's brush, the vessel is gifted with a colorful destiny unlike any other. The vessel is complete, ready to be filled with the Master's glory. It is willing to be filled and emptied again and again, delivering hope to those who thirst for the Master's touch."
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
Kent Simpson, Prophetic Pastor
Prophetic Ministries Today
Email: PMT@propheticministries.org
Website: propheticministries.org
Prophetic Ministries Today
Email: PMT@propheticministries.org
Website: propheticministries.org
2 comments:
I know this is an older post but it came at a timely hour for me. This is beautiful and very healing Thank you so much
God is good! He brings to our attention just what we need when we need it. Thank you for letting me know it touched you. Blessings.
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