Consider Lily Articles Gallery

The Potter And His Intricate Handiwork by Wilma Ditterline Time and time again I revert back to the analogy of "The Potter and the Clay" because it is such a simple analogy to understand. In doing so, I've realized that when I'm having a hard time trusting God with my future, trusting His plans for my life, it's like saying "God, I'm not sure you know what You're doing ... I think instead of being a vase I'd like to be a bowl ..." So I squirm and wiggle until I end up on the floor in pieces and then I wonder why. At times I am unable to trust His plans for my life, and too often I decide to take things into my own hands. We must learn to trust in His plan. God designed us — the very fabric of our being — and He has a specific and perfect design for each of us. He has a purpose that only we can fulfill. But the only way to follow His path is when we learn to trust in His unique design ... His intricate handiwork. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are "God's workmanship." When I hear the word workmanship, I'm reminded of something I heard at a retreat a few years ago. The speaker said that the word workmanship in another language (Hebrew, I believe) is translated as poem. When I think of a poem, I think of something that is artistic and thought out with great care. A poet wants his masterpieces to be perfect, distinct and unique. When his poem is finished, he is so proud to display his effort and longs for others to see the beauty in his artwork. And that is how God sees us! He worked and worked to make us His perfect creation because He was proud and wanted the world to know it. Because of our sinful nature we now have flaws, but Jesus Christ was able to cover up our flaws and take them upon Himself so we can be seen again as whole, beautiful, wonderful works of art. How amazing is it to think that I am a uniquely designed poem in the eyes of my Maker?! He made me who I am for a reason and intends on displaying me proudly. Why should I take that opportunity away and hide because I cannot see my purpose? Why should I have the desire to be something I was not made to be? Maybe it's just that I have not yet learned how to appreciate His handiwork.