Molded to do His will

Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. Jeremiah 18:5-10 God looks for those who will allow Him to shape them into the persons He requires to do His divine work. If we cooperate with Him, He can mold us to the person He wants us to be. When we refuse to cooperate, He will drastically but lovingly discipline us so He can make us to be in tune with His purpose. From the text, Jeremiah was urging the Israelites to let God mold them to the life He wants them to have. He used the analogy of clay in the hands of the potter. Clay has no plans of its own and has no goals for service. It is not reluctant to do its given task as long as it is serving the purpose of the potter. It is moldable, flexible, and totally submissive to the will of the potter. At times we are excited to tell God that we are aware of our gifts and strengths that we believe could be used by God as we serve Him. Or at times, we become aware of our weaknesses that could prevent us from serving God. But God wants us to be aware that He is not limited to working only through our strengths. He can even use us even with our flaws and weaknesses. “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9-10). What He wants from us is our humility and surrender; a willingness to serve through His strength alone. He can fill us with His presence through the Holy Spirit so we could be clean vessels of His blessings. God is Sovereign and He will work with His children who are willing to choose to follow His will. God as the potter demonstrates His character as loving and patient. By His grace, we are given the opportunity to rise to His purpose.

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com