Originally posted 10/23/20
About six years ago my family and I were living in Dublin, Ireland. We met a friend who is a sculptor while living there. I asked my friend if she would come over and teach my kids how to sculpt clay. I always look for ways to make our homeschooling more exciting. She agreed to come and teach them a few things, and I even learned so much from her as well. I still have all of their creations as a fun reminder of our time in Ireland.
Lessons in Sculpting
The thing about sculpting clay is that you can mold it into anything you can imagine. If you aren’t satisfied with what you created, you can always start over. In fact you can even take dried out clay and rehydrate it so that it becomes moldable once again. Clay is an amazing product that can become anything in the right hands.
In Isaiah 64:8 (ESV) it says, “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” God is our potter, and we are his clay. This means that he desires to mold us into something unique and amazing. Our job is to relax and allow him to mold us into what he sees when he looks at us. What does he see when he looks at you? I have no idea. Perhaps you are like a bowl and you are created to help hold people up in times of crisis. You could be a beautiful vase, used to bring out others’ beauty. You might even be a piece of artwork. When others look at in awe because you have a divine ability to lead others.
Pottery Needs More than Just Sculpting
After the potter molds the clay into just the right shape, the clay will need to be placed in a super hot oven. The heat from the kiln, which will range from 1,745-2,012 degrees Fahrenheit, will cause the clay to keep its shape. Without this extreme heat the clay will start to droop and eventually just be a lump of clay once again.
We also need heat in our lives so that we can maintain our shape. James 1:2-4 (ESV) says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” I have often wondered why God tells us to count trials as joy. How can joy be my focus when I am suffering? I began to ponder the link between being clay in God’s hands and counting it joy when I suffer, Then it hit me. Trials are like going through fire.
The Fire of Trials
The heat of trials is what makes the lessons we learn forever change us into the people God created us to be. Without the fire of trials we would slowly but surely fall back into old habits and patterns that don’t reveal the beauty God sees in us.
I have seen this principle happen in my life. The old Cherise was not only a people pleaser, but she was afraid of doing anything that made anyone upset at her. I lived my life to make other people happy, even at the cost being my authentic self. Over several tough trials with people I love who suddenly and completely rejected me over small and insignificant issues, I learned to stand up for myself and have a voice. Sure, I still am uncomfortable when I know that I’ve hurt someone. I no longer give other people control over my words and feelings. The fire of rejection caused me to become bolder. Now I can never be the same old girl I once was.
So yes, we can be joyful in the trials. Remember, it is through the trials that God molds us into more of who created us to be. Because of the fire, our new shape will hold.
Better Equipped
The heat of trials allows us to be useful in the Kingdom of God. Who wants to try and eat off a plate of clay that has not been through the fire? I know I don’t. My plate would definitely break under the weight of my food and myself getting my food on my fork. Then I would have tiny little pieces of clay in my food, and if I choose to continue eating I would end up eating some of the clay. Yucky! We are better equipped to be used in the Kingdom of God after we have gone through the fire.
Just last Saturday we had a young girl and her boyfriend come over to our tents where we hold church. She was visibly upset and stated she needed prayer because of something going on in her family. When I was about her age, I went through a terrible time in my family. Because I walked through that fire and learned the lessons I did during that time, I could better sympathize with this girl. I knew exactly how to pray for her, even though I didn’t know any specifics of what was going on. Besides, God knows exactly what is going on and what she needed to hear. As I was praying for her I asked God what to say, and then said exactly what I heard.
Just Remember What Jesus Said
I may not know you personally. I have no clue what trials you are going through right now. However, I do know that God doesn’t waste trials. His desire is for you to count these trials as joy, knowing that when the fire subsides, you will be more like the person he created you to be. You will then be better equipped to minister to people God brings into your life who are going through a similar trial. I encourage you to ask God what lessons you need to learn when trials come your way. I know for me, if I have a tangible reason for pain it becomes easier for me to bear.
Remember what Jesus said right before he went to the cross, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV)
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