Fingerprints

“So I went down to the potter’s house, & I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his h&s; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.” (Jeremiah 18:3-4)

In this Bible chapter, Jeremiah learns that the Lord will reshape the people of Israel if they are willing to repent of their evil ways. Those of us committed to the Lord also know our times of needing to repent. This allows him to continue to transform us into his image. I need reworking by my Maker for many reasons. Just how should I view this process?

The following imagery offers me my clues: The potter’s house . . . working at the (his) wheel . . . he was shaping . . . as it seemed best to him. These expressions refer to the potter (God) being the one in control. He is giving personal attention to me. As he has designed the blueprint of “me”, he does not want me misshapen & unable to become all he desires me to be.

I grew up with dreams & plans, just as you did. Some became fulfilled, others have not. We have all had starts & stops, detours & surprises along our way. For those of us living in consistent pain or illness it is easy to feel “broken”. In a world that clamors for external & visible achievements, some of these are often beyond our capabilities.

Yet, I am never out of the Potter’s h&s. If I have made a commitment to him, I’ve placed myself there. As broken as I often feel, his plans remain intact & his fingers will continue to mold, refine & restore me “as seems best to him.”

How pliable am I? Do I allow the Lord access to all areas of my life? It takes my daily surrendering to what I want & my trusting that he is working out what he wants. It means becoming clay in my Potter’s h&s.

Prayer: Lord, I want your gentle fingerprints all over my life, gentle because I have been willing to let you work your will for me in your time & in your way. Amen

About the Author:
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.