Pastor's Blog

Lessons from the Wheel

Have you ever done something that stretched you way out of your comfort zone?

If so, you will appreciate this. My daughter is an aspiring artist who loves creating unique content through art. For the last couple years we have looked for a place where she could learn to make pottery (in an artist’s world it’s known as “throwing clay” and you end up with ceramics). Through some outside help, we were alerted to a class for beginners at a nearby ceramics center and we signed her up. They made space for me and it’s become a weekly “dad/daughter” date. I was not prepared for what would happen.

Throwing clay is very difficult, even if you don’t have a paw that wears a size 15 ring. So as I have spent several hours “at the wheel”, I have pondered all the different applications one can make to living life as a Christ Follower. There are several references in Scripture to the relationship between the potter (God) and the clay (His people). Jeremiah 18:1-4 is a good example of this. If you have attended church for some time, you have probably heard sermons on this topic. I will spend the next few weeks rehearsing things I’ve learned in my short time as a ceramics master.

I currently am having some difficulty getting the clay “centered”. This is one of the first things to do as you move toward the masterpiece you have in mind.  If it’s off at all, the finished product (if you get there) just isn’t going to look right. Centering requires a heavy touch and knowledge of where the clay needs to be. Our teacher has taught us to make a cone, and then push it down. After you do this a couple of times, the clay is malleable and you can get it in the sweet spot to make great things. There are times I feel the clay is fighting my hands and I have to cone it and push it down again. I wonder how many times God has to do this with me? He knows where He needs me to be, but I fight and resist. This week’s lesson from the wheel is to allow the Potter to center me in His will. Will you join me? When you do, you’ll never regret it.

Pastor Dave

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