Treasure Pots, Chamber Pots!

Three years ago  whatever illusions I had about being invincible, disappeared when I had to go through a major surgery to remedy a problem that would have otherwise ended my life!  It was a kind of moment that changes a person. Far from being a grim experience, it remains an enlightening one.  I took two things away from it.

The first was an even deeper conviction that “He is God and I am not!”  Isaiah says it like this: "Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8) The work of His hand, what a thought! God is actively working to shape me (and you!) into a useful person.  Oh, yes, He is the one in charge.  As the Word reminds us, some of are shaped into treasure pots and some of are chamber pots! The Word says, "When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? God has every right to exercise his judgment and his power." (Romans 9:21-22, NLT)

The second conviction is that I must ‘Seize the day!’  My earthly life will not stretch on tomorrow forever.  James said, "Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil." (James 4:13-16, NLT) His words should not make us sad or hopeless! They should remind us of the amazing privilege of being part of the Lord’s plan, and ultimately finding ourselves at Home in His Presence.

My brush with mortality, far from being a curse, is a lesson about choosing each day to live with the gate of Heaven on time’s horizon. No, I am not being overly sentimental or super-spiritual!  This is reality that sharpens the focus.

Christian, are you submitted to the Potter? Are you glad to be who He desires you to be?

Are you wasting time or making the most of it as you live near to the heart of God?

Here’s a word from the Word. Make it your prayer. "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. … The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. …  Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:1, 10, 12, NIV)
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The Potter's Hand

Beautiful Lord

Wonderful Saviour

I know for sure

All of my days

Are held in Your hand

Crafted into Your perfect plan

You gently call me

Into Your presence

Guiding me by

Your Holy Spirit

Teach me dear Lord

To live all of my life

Through Your eyes

I'm captured by Your holy calling

Set me apart I know You're drawing

Me to Yourself

Lead me Lord I pray

Take me mould me

Use me fill me

I give my life

To the Potter's hand

Call me guide me

Lead me walk beside me

I give my life

To the Potter's hand

Darlene Zschech

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