CLAY

CLAY

If you stick with my blog, you will find out that I am a lover of words and word meanings.  The word CLAY seems obvious, but I wanted to dig deeper. I began with Webster's definition of clay: 

an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired, that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and 

I like this one too: 

The definition of clay. A piece of pottery being formed out of clay. The definition of clay is fine-grained soil or water-soaked earth. An example of clay is a soft blob of water-soaked earth or fine grain soil that you use when wet and pliable to sculpt a vase, which is then fired under high heat and becomes hard.

Genesis 2:7  (ESV) says - "then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. , and the man became a living creature."   As we read on, we know that God also created a woman using a rib from Adam as well as a scoop of the earth. I am not a potter - my attempts as using clay in elementary school were a dismal failure. 

Some of you have seen the "owl" I made. A glorious paperweight.  It makes me smile now, however, it was a source of teasing, mocking and absolute ridicule from many of my classmates. I longed for artistic talent and certainly wished that I could begin again but sadly, the clay had been dried. I had no choice but to paint, glaze and let it be fired. My poor parents had no clue that it was supposed to be an owl. As you can see - it's rather animal like and now I like to think of it as rather "abstract." My loving parents displayed it and I can only imagine the humorous exchanged glances behind my back. I was very blessed to feel absolutely secure in their love and approval of me and the teasings of my classmates faded in the light of their love.

We are loved by a perfect Father who created us in HIS image!! He breathed into us the wonderful gift and breath of life. We are not a pottery mistake! We have been crafted by the Ultimate Artisan, perfect in all His ways with all of his infinite creativity. I know you know that none of us have the same fingerprint. Think about THAT for a minute. Think of the billions of people who have lived before and all who are alive now and be mindful that there are no two alike. Pick up a handful of sand - no two grains are the same. Look at snow - no two snowflakes are the same. Our Papa God delights in diversity. 

It is also His delight to continue to mold and fashion us as we pursue relationship with Him. Jeremiah lived during a time of great rebellion in Israel. The Lord used him to encourage repentance and he also proclaimed judgment was coming if they continued in their wicked ways. At one point, the Lord instructs Jeremiah to go to the potter's house and this is what happens: 

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! (Jeremiah 18:1-6, NKJV)

Jesus is the Master Carpenter/Artisan. He takes the places in our lives that are scarred, cracked and possibly broken and makes them over. It doesn't matter if it's been the result of our own choices or tragically, the result of other's choices - He brings healing and restoration. 

A specific art form called Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum.As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. Let us learn to embrace our history so that we are able to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) As we submit to His tender hands - the results will be  like Kintsugi!!

If anything has become apparent during the Covid19 crisis and the political climate - we are a broken people longing for wholeness - as we confront our own preconceived ideas about race - let us allow God to mold and shape us. Let's ask Him to heal places in our lives in which we may blame a people group when in reality, we were hurt by a person. In turn, let's be the healing others need as well. Perhaps you will be the gold used to mend someone's broken heart. 

Have Thine Own Way was  hymn written by

 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Thou art the potter, I am the clay. 

Mold me and make me after thy will, 

while I am waiting, yielded and still. 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Search me and try me, Savior today! 

Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now, 

as in thy presence humbly I bow. 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Wounded and weary, help me I pray! 

Power, all power, surely is thine! 

Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! 

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 

Hold o'er my being absolute sway. 

Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see 

Christ only, always, living in me!

Father, help us to yield to you. To trust in your ability to mold, shape and use us for your glory. In Jesus' mighty name.