Different Vessels for Different Uses

As ons so wroeg met al die goete wat ons dink ons nodig het of wie ons nie is nie, en wat ander het en is, dan beland hierdie in mens se "in-box" en jy besef maar net weer dat dit nie oor my gaan nie, maar oor God. Hy het ons VIR HOM gemaak, nie vir onself nie! Die HERE werk deesdae op vreemde maniere met ons, en HY eis van ons om heilig voor HOM te leef. Ek en Ben het Dinsdag begin met die Daniel-vas. Dis nie eintlik 'n vas nie, want jy sluit basies net enige iets van dierlike oorsprong en alkohol uit. Ons beplan om dit vir ten minste 10 dae te doen, 'n tyd om nader aan die HERE te kom sodat ons SY stem beter kan hoor! Bid 'seblief saam met ons!

Yet, O Lord, you are our Father, We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.Isaiah 64:8, NIV

This week I walked through a huge store, absolutely filled with different specimens of pottery. Every single design was unique. And every item had a specific use. As I looked at this overwhelming display of man's creative ability, I began to think of how it illustrates the creativity of God in the vast breadth of design and function on display.Many will have sung Christian worship songs which express this theme, with words such as “You are the potter, we are the clay” - recognising that God is the Master Potter and we are His creation. But many of the people who have sung these songs may still be wishing they are like someone else. Some walk through our doors looking for help on Healing Retreats. They see someone else's looks or gifting and then see themselves negatively as a result. They then feel inferior and before very long depression and even despair can follow.It is easy to forget that God did not make us to be like anyone else, he made us to be the person we are. Each one a very much loved special creation. The world idolises certain people and the rest of humanity seems to want to copy the “stars”. But God doesn't want us to be like anyone else - He rejoices when we are content with who we are and seek to fulfill the destiny that the Master Potter had for each one of us.It is as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus that an extraordinary miracle takes place - in our character we become more like Him - and in our humanity we become more like the person God intended us to be in the first place.Prayer: Thank you that as the Master Potter, the works of your hand are always perfect. Help me Lord to so walk in your ways that I both reflect your true character to the people around me and grow into the person Father God intended me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.