Are You God's Vessel?
When I was little, I was a bit different from many of my friends.
I never donned a dance leotard, ballet slippers, gymnast suit, or cheerleader uniform. No, I was more comfortable in boots, brushing ponies, and riding in a dusty arena.
I did try gymnastics lessons once, though. Quickly, I realized it wasn’t for me. In an attempt to find an excuse to gracefully bow out of the sport, I told my parents that I didn’t want to do gymnastics anymore because my instructor had a ponytail…it was the logic of a 5-year-old, but it worked!
So, I never learned how to do a cartwheel, stand on my hands, or be flexible.
Sara Claudia when she was younger smiling next to her big, dark brown pony.
I still struggle with being flexible at times. Not just physically, but with others, with my plans, and even with God.
In Jeremiah 18, we learn just how important it is for us to be flexible and willing to be molded.
At the beginning of this chapter, the Lord sends Jeremiah, a prophet, to visit a potter.
As Jeremiah is observing the artist working with clay, he notices that when the unfinished piece of pottery was marred or unfit for its intended use, the potter would reform and remold the clay until it was just right for its future purpose.
“But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.” (Jeremiah 18:4)
As is the case with many of the passages in the Bible, this story had a much deeper meaning.
“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.” (Jeremiah 18:5-6)
In the same way that we make pottery for our use, God has made us for His own purpose.
In this chapter of Jeremiah, the Lord is threatening to destroy Israel like an unfinished clay jar that is not fulfilling its purpose. The people had turned away from God, and, thus, were not fulfilling His will for us…to glorify and grow His kingdom.
Thankfully, the Lord is merciful with us. He wants to work with us, mold us, and form us into a powerful and strong vessel for His work.
A potter's hands molding light colored clay.
Before losing my sight, I had turned away from God just like the Israelites.
I had my own form of idols, popularity, gossip, social media, which I held in higher regard than our Lord.
When I went blind, however, I made the decision to turn away from how I had been living and turn back to God. As I learned slowly to listen to God’s commands more than to my own desires and will, the hard, broken pieces of my heart began to soften.
The days, weeks, and months that followed my sight loss were not what I had planned for my life. I didn’t want to have my college and equestrian careers interrupted, lose friends, or lose part of myself.
However, when I became more flexible towards God’s plans for my life, He was able to mold my path into something so much better than I had planned.
I became the vessel that He always wanted me to be. The vessel that He wants all of us to be.
I challenge you to pay attention to the call that God is placing on your life today.
It could be something as simple as calling and checking on a neighbor, cooking a meal for a friend, or leaving a little extra change in the tip jar. Think about how you are responding to this call.
Sara Claudia obeying the Lord's call by sharing her testimony with others outside on the Trails and Testimonies podcast.
How can you be more moldable when it comes to God and His plans for you?
Just like a simple jar can have many different uses, from holding beautiful flowers to delivering a refreshing sip of water, God can use you for many wonderful purposes as well.
We just have to be willing to listen, allow Him to reform us, and act according to His directions.
Text that says, “This blog is sponsored by:”
David Pollard at Raymond James Partners Financial Group, which specializes in helping families and businesses manage their investments so that they can spend their time where it matters most.
Tillman Eye Center, which serves Carrollton, GA with a wide range of optometry services in a professional and comfortable environment with staff who care.
Plaza Home Care, a medical supply and equipment company located in downtown Villa Rica, where they are big enough to serve you and small enough to care about you. Plaza Home Care is committed to providing you and your family with quality medical equipment, such as CPAP compression hoses, walkers, lift chairs, and more. The staff are sure to earn your trust as they listen to your needs, follow through on their word, and provide uncompromising levels of customer care.
