Yesterday, during staff, Marty Barrett did a devotional and used a potter's wheel and some clay. The emphasis was on how God is in the business of molding us and making us into all the He wants us to be. As we all stood and watched Marty mold a piece of clay while giving her devotion, I found myself very moved to say the least. I begin to think of areas that I think God is molding me right now. Let me be vulnerable and share a few.
I think God is molding me in the area of my faith. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God and yet I find myself faithless so many times. I wish it weren't true but it is. I am not sure why either because God has demonstrated Himself faithful over and over and over again in my life. Right now in my family life and as a leader there are some decisions that need to be made that require faith. God, mold me in this area.
I think God is molding me in the area of patience. Anybody that knows me knows that I struggle with patience. I have all my life. I want what I want and I want it now. In some ways this kind of tenaciousness about my personality has been an asset. In other ways, it has been a huge liability. This is especially true when it comes to ministry. Ministry is a strange animal and there aren't always clear cut ways to accomplish what I feel God calling us to accomplish. Very often, in the past, this has been a huge source of frustration for me as I have wanted what I want and wanted it now. Recently, with the help of some key staff, I am learning the virtue of being patient. It is so hard. God, I am grateful for my staff and their encouragement in this area. I pray that you will continue to mold me in this area.
Lastly, I feel God molding me in the area of being physically fit. Don't get me wrong, I love to work out and am very physically active, but that doesn't mean I am physically fit. Truth is, and I have said this from the stage, I could drop some weight. My diet is the culprit here and I as much as I would like to rationalize it away, the scriptures make it clear that our bodies are temples where the Holy Spirit resides. The scriptures also make it clear that Jesus Christ paid a high price for our bodies and once we submit to Him as Lord and Savior, they are not ours any longer. As such, I don't want to abuse my body or rationalize gorging myself with all the wrong foods just because I don't look "that bad". Every time I have pulled on a pair of pants lately or looked in the mirror, I have felt guilty for not taking decisive action in this area. God, I pray that you will continue to mold me in this area of my life. I need your help!
Growing up Southern Baptist, there was a song that became very familiar to me called "Have Thine Own Way Lord". It's one of those songs that made an indelible impression in my mind. This may seem crazy, but I thought about it all day after Marty's devotion. I actually went to bed sort of halfway singing it under my breath. I think it means so much because I am convinced that this should be the mantra of my life. Let me close this blog with one of the stanza's.
Have thine own way Lord, Have thine own way
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay
Mold me and make me, after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still
Comments