In the Right Hands

"LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay. You are the potter.

Your hands made all of us."

Isaiah 64:8



Just because it's in calligraphy
doesn't mean it's important.
Just because we feel ordinary
doesn't mean we're less important



     From the time I had two quarters jangling in my pocket, I've invested in paper and writing implements. Woolworth's was my favorite place to shop for little notebooks, sketch pads, stationery, pencils, pens, markers, etc.  With paper always at hand, I dreamed of filling at least a notebook, and maybe one day a book cover, with meaningful words strung together in meaningful expressions which would meld into a memorable experience for me and for readers. Whenever writer's block hit, I'd change pen colors because purple might say it better, or gold metallic would get attention and respect.  When I didn't have content, I used calligraphy to proclaim less important ideas with a flourish. 

   However, most real work requires less flourish and more function.  For instance, my job teaches me that justice could hardly be dispensed without sticky notes, staples and blue ink pens. A clear, legible print is preferable to calligraphy.  Cases wouldn't, couldn't be scheduled without a simple calendar, and where would I be without whiteout?  The little container on my desk keeps all these "ordinary" tools available for the opportune moment. In other words, I don't keep parchment paper and calligraphy pens in my office since sticky notes and ball points get the job done better.   



The real tools of justice!



     Is that why God made us from clay - squishy, flawed, muddy, wet, messy everyday clay? He makes an orinary, common substance extraordinarly useful by His power. Feeling more like a Post-it than parchment? God's purposes mean we're valuable and irreplaceable for certain callings and jobs. Feeling as unique as one silver staple in a row of staples?  Our feelings don't change the fact that God can use us to "hold it together" as a testimony to His power among people falling apart without Him.    

     Thank You God for preferring to work with imperfect, weak people instead of using inanimate objects to express Your glory. Thank You for breathing life into us and molding us. Today, Lord, we ask You to be creative and artistic in our lives.  Remove the hard chunks in our spirits and personalities to make us more pliable in Your Hands. Thank You for not tossing us out as unusable. Write Your glory into our lives for others to see.  Mold us to be more Christ-like in every circumstance.  Thank You that You're creative enough to make something beautiful of our messy, flawed, muddy, squishy lives.  We submit everything about ourselves - our minds, hearts, emotions, wills, words, gifts, work - into Your capable fingers. 

In the Name of Jesus - the Word of God

"Isn’t the potter free to make different kinds of pots out of the same lump of clay?

Some are for special purposes. Others are for ordinary use."

  Romans 9:21

How terrible it will be for anyone who argues with his Maker!

He is like a broken piece of pottery lying on the ground.

Does clay say to a potter, “What are you making?”

Does a pot say, “You don’t have any skill”?   Isaiah 45:9