Working in Clay

S - Isaiah 29:16; James 1:2-5 (NIV): "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"?  … Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

O - God's way to 'not lacking anything' is very different from ours.  God's view of trials is also very different from ours.  Isaiah helps us see that our view is the view of clay not of the potter.  Because we're made in God's image we share so many similarities; love, logic, relationship, emotions, joy, anger, etc.  The risk is for us to bring him down to our clay level which is always upside down to reality. He created us in his image not for us to bring him down to our clay but that he would lift us up into his reality shaping us into those who know him and his ways.  This unflinching dynamic means that we will often be without the needed wisdom.  His equally unflinching faithfulness guarantees that all who ask will receive. 

A - This is perpetually my problem … God considers things one way and I see them differently.  The world presents me with its "time tested" logic and Jesus presents me with eternally designed instructions for life on earth.  One says save yourself and the other give yourself away.  One defines God's love and wrath according to its own understanding and the other calls me to be lifted up by divine power to grasp his love which passes knowledge; and to understand that his wrath is not like mine at all.  I am clay.  I am not the Potter of anyone or anything.  I must choose to refuse/resist the very natural inclinations to try to pull him down to my upside down understanding.  I get to choose to turn in, come near, ask for wisdom and say lift me up Papa … I'm just frail as breath and dust; I am little and weak and can't see from down here.  Take me up, Lord, and shape me according to your awesome brilliance, limitless power and extreme goodness.  This is my assignment today and every day.

P - Lord who loves to work in clay,

How wonderful you are.  Thank you for wanting to work in us and work us into that which we would never be on our own.  Thank you for wanting us to work with you and for your unfailing promise to always be working everything for good.  Lord, I consider it pure joy and refuse my inclinations to pull you down to my upside down world.  Lord, keep revealing the Father so that the love he has for you will be in me and that you yourself will be in me (John 17:26).  I believe, help my unbelief.

In them,

Steve