Canvas vs. Clay

I was talking to my mom the other day and she gave me a few words of wisdom. Too often we live our life as if we have a blank canvas, and we have to paint this beautiful picture to present to God. We work so hard to make sure we have the right colors and textures, to make sure we include depth and range. Often times forgetting that none of the above things is our responsibility; we are clay.
Clay does nothing but what the potter shapes and molds it to do. It does not move on its own, it does not create something to be presented to the potter. Rather the potter is creating something out of the clay. When I was a little girl I would watch my aunt at the potter’s wheel. I was amazed at the ease in which she shaped and molded vases and cups, something that was hard for my little hands to do. As I reminisce about the clay in her hands, I never once heard her curse the clay for being clay. She never disapproved of the clay or what it had to bring. I don’t even think she saw the clay as the big ugly block that it was. She would wet her hands, sit down and make the clay into what she envisioned it to be.

We are clay. I don’t think God looks down on us judging us for what we do or don’t do. Measuring us based on our accomplishments rather He sees us for who we will be; as mothers, fathers, sisters, brother, missionaries, pastors, teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc. The bible says in Isaiah 46:10 that God sees things from the end to the beginning. Isn’t it wonderful that He sees us not as the big ugly block of clay we are but the beautiful masterpiece He is making us to be. Isn’t it amazing that we are not judged on our accomplishments on blank canvases but rather our willingness to be shaped and molded by Him?

Even Jesus was clay. He submitted and was obedient when He got baptized. He had not yet performed any documented miracles yet God still said to Him, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. Be encouraged today to submit to the process that is life, to be shaped and molded to what God has called you to be. Not looking at the other beautiful pieces of pottery around you trying to conform to them but realizing that you are being formed and fashioned for a specific purpose.

Father,
Please shower us with you love, affirm us, shape us mold us. Give us the wisdom not to compare ourselves to the ideas we have of others. Not to create something to present to you but rather to present to you ourselves to be fashioned by you. Thank you for your grace and mercy. For being faithful even when we aren’t. We love you.
Amen