Master Potter

Interesting adventure this life. John and I went to a glass blowing class each creating our own unique piece...based on the colors we like...just one of the many things that express us. I picked up our pieces yesterday. I loved my colors, but true to form, the first thing I noticed was this one green piece of glass, a TINY sliver, and was disappointed. I put it in the trunk along with John's. I also had a mishap during the process and my glass had cracked. The artists that the glass blowers were, they covered my mistake but I knew it was there. 

John had asked me after what I thought about that fire where our glass came from and was fired. We talked about several things: hell; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; refining fire. 

The fire was intense. We were a safe distance away, using a long pole, and I was constantly scooting my hand farther down the pole away from the heat. 

The whole process made me think of the refining fire we go through to become more like Jesus. Our master Gardner prunes away what is not fruitful. Our Creator refines us through trials in our lives. 

Isaiah 43:1b-3, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you I have summoned You by name you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze, for I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..."

My piece reflects me.  It's imperfect, a little bent at the bottom where they fixed what I screwed up, a little bit of green in there to let me know that perfection is something only achieved by God, never to be attained by me...and YET...it's perfect.

God stepped in and cleaned up the mess I made in my life and made it beautiful (not perfect, but beautiful).  He will do this for ANYone who calls upon His name.  He IS the Master.  More than that, He is my Abba Father who took something and made it beautiful in His own time for His own glory.  

I keep my piece where I do my quiet time and can visually be reminded that the Master has worked in me and continues to do so...I continue to be a work in progress (Phil. 1:6)