In the Potter's Hands

Funny how God can speak to you even when you're braving through crazy busy days. Thursday is usually my day for writing reflections but I missed it yesterday (boo me, I know!). I usually base my reflection on the day's readings and I had it prepared ahead; just didn't have the (mental) energy to write my thoughts down. Even so, here I am preparing for the Sunday mass Powerpoint presentations and He speaks to me through different verses. 

Yesterday's verse from the First Reading,

I went down to the potter's house
and there he was, working at the wheel.
Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand,
he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased."
Jeremiah 18:3-4

It struck me so well that it kept ringing through my hand since yesterday. It may sound a little cliche - the imagery of a potter, of being like clay molded into something beautiful - but what particularly struck me is 

'Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased.'

It reminded me so much of how often we do mess up as humans with weaknesses and tendencies. Wrong choices, bad decisions, words that should not have been spoken, I think we've all been there at some point in our earthly journeys. But it's not just that we have a merciful and compassionate God, we actually have a God who can create beauty out of dark and messy things in our lives! I think it is just so awesome to have a God who can create beautiful things out of my wrong choices, bad decisions and poisonous words. 

What I've realized so far is that these beautiful things:

1) don't just come out overnight, and

2) come out when we cooperate with the Lord's will

In most, if not all, cases, this requires sorrow for sins committed and the firm resolution to avoid the sin later on. This can mean differently to many people. It can mean avoiding shopping sites for the shopaholic, cutting off bad friendships, installing filters to stop oneself from visiting porn sites, skipping on 50 Shades of Grey despite your FB feed being flooded with its trailer, holding off on relationships for right reasons, and lots more. Difficult feats, yes, but nonetheless doable. Out of obedience fueled by love. As cliche as it may sound, there is great power in true love and what can be stronger than the one who is love Himself? Coincidentally, we are reminded of this in this Sunday's Second Reading,

"What will separate us from the love of Christ? 

Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? 
No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly
through him who loved us." 
Romans 8: 35, 37

Honestly, it is not easy to obey at all times. It can be frightening at times. We fear disappointment and sadness. But they also say that to obey the Lord's will brings one a sense of peace and inner joy. I think it's possible to feel disappointment as humans but there can also be a sense of submission and trust that a better plan awaits. 

Image credit: gerrymkaye.org

Now if you're already walking the road of submission, obedience and trust, congratulations! God didn't promise an easy road though, just one where you will always be walking with Him. From personal experience, there can be bumpy roads ahead and expect to feel discouraged and down at certain points. It's part of the spiritual warfare! Someone wants us to feel unworthy and to eventually give up. But don't! 

The Lord reminds us, 

Image Credit: Amanda Sherlin, Pinterest

We are all clay in the potter's hands but He needs our patience and cooperation. If you find it hard to obey and trust, pray for the grace to love Him more. 

How are you  being molded right now by God? How have you responded so far?

Be blessed always!