TALKING CLAY

Psalm 33:6-11
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. 7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. 9 For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.


The Potter lovingly shapes His clay. He doesn't rush. He wants it to be just right. Even before it's done He knows what it will be. He has a plan for His creation--it will be unlike any of His other works.

What does the clay do as the Potter designs it? Does it question the Potter? Does it complain about what's being done? No. The clay totally surrenders to the Potter, knowing that the Potter has a perfect purpose in mind (Romans 9:21). "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

A couple summers ago, I went on a missions trip to the Czech Republic and Italy. When we arrived in the Czech Republic, my friend Robyn and I (who were the only Canadians on the whole trip) found we weren't allowed to enter the country. We didn't have visas.

For almost 2 weeks, one of our trip leaders stayed with Robyn and me in the homes of some hospitable Italian believers, while we waited for the rest of our team to return. At first, I couldn't understand why this was happening. I wanted to be in the Czech Republic doing ministry with everyone else. Unlike the clay described above, I questioned my Potter.

I learned something very valuable during those 2 weeks. God knows what's best for me, and is able to turn what I would view as a negative situation into something absolutely wonderful (Romans 8:28). Those weeks of separation from the team ended up being the most rewarding part of the whole trip for me.

I'm really glad God doesn't just give me what I want so I'll leave Him alone for a while. It's so good to know that my Potter loves me, and always does what He knows is best for me.

What about you? Are you facing a difficult situation? Trust God! He knows what He's doing! --Heidi Haufe, Nobel, Ontario*

* Written by a fellow Soul Journey reader

DESTINATION POINTS

* God has a plan for my life. Am I willing to surrender to Him?
* In what ways have I seen God "work all things together for good" (Romans 8:28) in my life?

bottom line: God's plan is the best plan!

soul journey