Scripture: And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Jeremiah 18:4 ESV
Lent is a time of spiritual reflection. I found that Lent should have 3 focuses: prayer, fasting and charity. Lent is a time for us to repent and redirect our focus on God. I recognize that I am not always as devoted as some others might be. I sometimes fast, but not always. I have certainly done some of my faith practices half-heartedly and end up disappointed in myself more often than not. In 2021 a good friend of mine encouraged me to start a program to read the bible through in year. I'm still working on it (insert eye roll). I haven't given up, but again I am disappointed in myself.
No doubt you also can self-examine and find things not to your liking. I have previously expressed that I wanted to focus on contentment and yet here I am discontent. I want to be honest with you; even though I have found my faith tested most recently in personal trials and in general, I still find the daily grind in faith practices most challenging. Therefore, I set out this year to reset during Lent. 2 days ago. I'm doing ok for now, but I can't really boast in that, give me a week or so, I'm sure I'll forget my commitment.
I wish I had good news to share at age 51. News that I had reached my best spiritual self, but I haven't. I guess maybe I had hoped I would arrive at some great spiritual level of enlightenment by age 50, but I haven't. So today during my Lentin reflection I came upon this scripture and was deeply relieved.
I'm mostly a giant lump of clay and as God begins to shape and squeeze my life, I lose form. I squish through God's fingers trying to escape to a more familiar shape. I know I have said it before, but allow me to say it again, change is so hard!! Yet The Potter never grows tired of the craft. God simply reworks us, as long as we get on the wheel. What a relief!
I do not know if you practice Lent or maybe you just want to try and find your best self. I would like to ask you to join me and simply envision yourself climbing onto a potter's wheel. Relax. It's warm and you are pliable. Relax. Let go of your thoughts and expectations for a minute. Feel the touch of the hands of God, gently yet firmly wrapping around you. Relax. Do not resist as the wheel gently begins to spin, you see the potter's foot controls how fast the wheel spins. Entrust yourself to The One shaping you into your new self.
Changing yourself on your own is impossible. Yet, you can't change without desiring for change to take place. No work of art is without flaw. The subtle imperfections are what make each piece unique. I know I haven't arrived. In fact, the more I learn the less I feel that I understand. I just know that my Creator is not finished with me. The Potter keeps on reworking me and for that I am truly thankful.
Leslie Stephens
Winchester, TN by way of California
Prayer: God help me to always surrender to your wheel (will) and do not let me go my own way. Draw me into deeper fellowship with You and bring me to repentance, so that I look more like the vessel you desire for me to be. Thank you for not giving up on me. Amen.
Prayer Tip: Visualization is a powerful tool. The bible paints many pictures of God's character. Visualize God in what you feel you understand and you will certainly come know God more.
