A YEAR IN THE POTTER'S HANDS - 8

Sunday, August 27, 2017
     
       I got the title for this 'Life Lesson' on July 15th so I foolishly assumed that it would be published on July 31st - 1 year after Jared died. But that was my plan and as I've stated in previous lessons - I don't always get what I want but I do get what is best. Quite honestly, these are the Lord's 'Life Lessons' and I'm simply the clay pot that brings them to you

     Please understand that I don't live in these 'Life Lessons' - they are a secret place the Lord takes me when I need hope and encouragement in order to go on. They energize and allow me to press on to what He has for me. I did spend quite a bit of time in what I called the "Blah's" this past winter. The 'Life Lessons' were my mountain top experiences. The times when I could really feel the Lord's presence, hear His voice more clearly, and know, without a doubt, that He loved me. However, we don't live on the mountain top - we live primarily in the valley, were there's fertile soil for our faith to grow stronger. The valley is where we begin to feel the pressure of the Potter's Hands as He begins to work the things of the world out of us. It's usually a painful time because we often have difficulty letting go -  for those things have become part of us.

    
Jeremiah 18: 3-4 "So I went down to the potter's house, and he was making a work on the wheels. Whenever the pot that he was making from clay became flawed in the hand of the potter, he remade it into another pot, as it pleased the potter to make.


     As believers in Jesus, as long as we're in this world, we'll always be on the Potter's wheel due to the fact that we're a work in progress. He must work out our 'flaws' - wounds, attitudes, thoughts, habits - those things that keep us from being like Christ. The Lord's desire is to conform us into His image so we might have a more intimate relationship with Him.

    Jared's Heart began in order to share my son's desire for Jesus to come back and save the people, especially with his friends. It turned into an avenue of healing. Having lost my son to a drug overdose left me overwhelmed with grief and sorrow. The Lord tenderly placed me on His Potter's wheel and began to work. He applied gentle pressure as He began to work these painful things out of my life. I now realize that as I obediently did each 'Life Lesson' it caused a portion of my grief and sorrow to go. The most powerful one being 'Our Days Are Numbered'. I can't even begin to explain how His Hands added the love I felt, that I knew, He had for Jared and me. It was in that moment I knew He was in control - of everything. I don't necessarily like the way it turned out, but I'm just the pot.

     

     I can't begin to express how wonderful it is to look at a picture of my son and smile, happy for the time we had together and not to be overcome with grief. Don't get me wrong - I will always miss him. I would prefer it to be different but I must press on. It's a decision I made - to remain on the Potter's wheel and trust Him. I desire to be a vessel God can use for His glory, to be filled completely - not just part way due to a 'flaw'. I know for a fact, He isn't done with me yet (just ask anyone who knows me) and for that I'm very grateful.

     

    We're all different 'pots' - there's nobody just like you. We have different purposes, with different 'flaws', in different situations. I don't know what your 'flaw' is but I do know the One who can fix it. Surrender it to the Potter. Allow him to place you on His wheel and work it out of you. You won't regret it. I can't wait to feel those hands, that have worked on me for so many years, take my hand and to hear Him say, " Well done good and faithful servant." as He draws me close. Hallelujah! It will all be worth it.