For the months of May and June, we’re exploring God’s handiwork in our lives. The next few weeks will be about meditating on God as our Potter and we as His handiwork. Today’s beginning devotion helps frame this relationship with our heavenly Father:

IN WORD – We’re involved in a lifelong art project. We want our lives to turn out the best possible way for us, so we are consumed with crafting circumstances, people, work, and dreams to our advantage. We plan for the best education, the best job, the best family, the best neighborhood, the best everything we can think of, constantly trying to shape ourselves into the right form. Whether consciously or not, we are diligent craftsmen.
There’s a Craftsman more skilled than us, though, and if we would trust Him to shape us into something more beautiful, He would. After all, clay can’t really do much on its own. When we try to make art of ourselves, we end up with slightly reshaped clay. But when the Master Artist makes art of us, His work can be breathtaking. He has a grander vision of beauty than we do.
We are reluctant to relax in the hands of the Potter for one main reason: We forget why we exist. We assume that clay exists for the sake of its own feelings or dreams. We focus on “clay esteem,” “clay actualization,” or “clay fulfillment,” oblivious to the infinitely larger purpose of our formation. Clay really exists for the Potter alone. When the Artist is allowed to do His work, the clay displays the creativity of His heart and mind.
IN DEED – Are you allowing the Potter to do His work? Never resist it, even though there’s no guarantee that it will be a comfortable process. In fact, it almost certainly won’t be; if clay could feel, the bending and twisting would likely be excruciating. The trials of your life are like the tools of a potter. They gouge you for the sake of beauty. But the finished product is glorious. It has to be; it comes from the heart of the Potter. Trust Him completely. There’s nothing more beautiful than His artwork. “God’s fingers can touch nothing but to mold it into loveliness.” – George MacDonald (in “Worship the King” by Chris Tiegreen)

It is indeed easy to forget that God is sovereignly omnipotent over our lives. As much as we think we have control, not even people like Bill Gates, Elon Musk, or Jensen Huang can escape God’s will.
But on the flip side, we can be assured that God is entirely good and everything He brings us through is intended for our good, though we may not see the reasons during seasons of trial.
One of my favorite lessons is from the Skit Guys who have brought these principles to life. Take a few minutes to watch it and ask whether or not you are willing to let the Grand Artist shape you into the image of Christ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QCkBL2DfVg. Have a blessed week! – from Singapore, Pastor Sam