Soft Clay

I am a slow learner.

I have found myself saying that a lot lately when I’m speaking. You would think that after all these years I would “get it.” God is God, and I am not. Yet still I persist in trying to convince God to do things my way.

Recently I was asked to speak to some business and professional women on Being a Vessel of Honor, based on 2 Timothy 2:20,21.

My main point was that a vessel of honor begins with soft clay—pliable in the Potter’s hands, responsive to His every touch, surrendered to His perfect design. All too often I sound more like Romans 9:20-21: “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?”

I find I naturally come up with plans to help the Lord get things done. But lately He has gone out of His way to show me He is far more creative than I am. I can’t even begin to imagine the events and circumstances He orchestrates to accomplish His perfect purposes. So I am seeking to remain soft clay—allowing God to make me into His intended vessel of honor—perfectly designed to accomplish the good works that He has prepared for me.

And I am assuming an attitude of anticipation for the totally surprising ways He will do it.

c Judy Douglass 2010