Posted in spiritual, Thoughts from the Word

From a Mold or Molded?

When I was a pre-teen, I was introduced to ceramics.  My sister-in-law’s mother had a ceramics shop in her garage with a kiln, and every so often, she would let me and Vivian (my sister-in-law’s sister) do ceramics.  One of the things we did was pour liquid into a form, let it set, then remove the mold, scrape off the seams, then it would be dried in the kiln.  After the drying, we could paint it however we wished.  And it was fun!  Vivian and I could pick the same exact object, and it would be unique only due to how we chose to paint our same exact object…  On the other hand, pottery is hand formed from a lump of clay, on a potter’s wheel.  The value of piece of pottery depends on the skill of the potter.

This comparison hit me while I was driving down the road.

How often as a Christian, do we consider ourselves “ceramic.”  You’re a bowl, I’m a bowl, he’s a bowl, she’s a bowl… we are just decorated differently.  But I think that we would be better served to think of ourselves as pottery.  Each one of us hand crafted with love and great skill by the Master Potter.  My value has nothing to do with your value.  Your value has nothing to do with mine.  Our value is solely dependent on the One who made us, and the fulfilling of the task we were created for.

Isaiah 64:8 (KJV) “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter, and we all are the work of thy hand.”

Sometimes I find myself looking around at my co-workers.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by amazing nurses.  Sometimes I find myself feeling bad that I can’t contribute what someone else does, and in the mentality of “I’m a ceramic mold” I find myself down and doubting my vocation.  When I remember that I am “pottery” I am able to place into perspective my calling, and just DO what I’m able to do.  My part is valuable.  Your part is valuable.
This realization of being pottery should also affect how I judge another.  I cannot hold someone to MY gifts and abilities, we are not poured out of the same mold.  We are each uniquely designed for God’s purposes.  Each one of us needs to be concerned with our own relationship with the potter and the tasks He has created for us specifically to fulfill.

Author:

Wife, mom, grandmama and registered nurse. I love the Lord, and I want to use my abilities to honor Him. There's a lot going on in my brain, and it always helps me to write it out. I love to encourage others, and hope that these scribblings will do just that (as well as motivate me...).

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