Sheep, Branches, and Clay

Yet, O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the Potter, we are all the work of Your hands. Isaiah 64:8

God’s Word is filled with imagery. He knows we appreciate pictures. Tell me something and I might get it. But show me a picture and I will take hold of the concept for sure. Here are a few examples that God gives me as pictures from Scripture. You are the sheep, I am the Shepherd. I am the vine, you are the branches. And now, we are the clay and He is the Potter.

As my shepherd, He guides, protects and knows me by name. I am not a lost face in the crowd to Him. He claims me as His own and knows everything about me. He is aware of my tendencies to wander and always searches for me when I do. Just reviewing Psalm 23 in my mind assures me of His personal involvement in my life.

As the vine He is my life line. I am connected to Him and draw my spiritual sustenance from Him. Life flows from Him to me to produce fruit. How true His Words that without Him I can do nothing.

Finally, a picture of a potter with clay. He formed me in my mother’s womb and promises to continue His work in me through to completion. He is shaping my life into a specific vessel. His tools for shaping me vary. There are times He uses people, circumstances, books, nature, music, or trials to bring about a result in me. But above all, is His Spirit and His Word that can produce the most change.

I am struck today by all that clay does not do. It does not place itself in the potter’s hand or on the potter’s wheel. It does not determine what it will be made into or the process used to get it there. It is simply chosen. How well will I do today at entrusting myself to His hands to work in me? How well will I do at following my Shepherd and being attached to my Vine? It is my desire to be malleable , obedient, and connected with my heavenly Father.

He is aware of my flaws. He has already designed His purposes for me today. Between now and when I retire for the evening change in me will take place. May I realize that nothing will happen by accident today. God is passionate about His involvement in my life. Absolutely nothing will take Him by surprise. It is all “Father filtered” as a friend has said.

Father, I trust and look forward to what You have planned for me today. May I not miss anything You desire to show me! Amen.