Molded

^“So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 18:3-5).

To be molded by God means I conform to His desires. I am cut as a diamond, chiseled as stone, and made pliable as clay.  It is not only His work, but it is also mine. Mine is submission and willingness to change–to let go of what is not right in my heart and in my life. I must recognize any selfishness in my motives, actions, or thoughts, and instantly pray for God’s help to remove them.  

I know that His divine power has given me everything I need to grow spiritually and have a godly life. I gain that through knowledge of Him in His word, and through surrender to His will for my life. He has given me precious promises for my life so that I might have more of Him, and less of my sinful self. For this very reason I shall make every effort to add to my faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. If these qualities are increasing in my life, nothing will keep me from being effective and productive in living for Him (2 Peter 1:3-8).

This is a work in my heart and life that needs both His power and my surrender. At first it is a work that can be disheartening. As I surrender to His power and my eyes are open, I see so much more that needs to be done in me. But I determine to persevere and not let what is ahead discourage me. I will remember that it is His power that brings change. 

As I grow I learn courage by surrendering my fear; I learn patience by surrendering my control, and I learn perseverance by surrendering my struggle. He is with me, and as this cooperative work in my life is done–through my surrender and His power, His qualities increase in my life. I am molded into a useful tool in His hands. I am formed into whatever He deems best.

Does it hurt to be molded? Letting go of who I am for who is?  At first, yes, because I must allow Him to mold me, and that hurts. There is no other way to say it. It hurts to give up selfishness and what I want. It hurts to let go of that control that has meant so much. But it is in the letting go and letting Him mold me, I discover His joy and His purpose. I discover that what I thought was “glory” in my own life, is nothing compared to the “glory” I find in His.