Work of Art

We are God’s work of art. If we are a follower of Jesus Christ then God owns us. He is the potter and we are the clay. Our life is destined to be a masterpiece in the hands of our Master, Jesus. It requires a lifetime of molding and shaping, but our life after experiencing the grace of God is most attractive after God’s grace governs our life.

There are a least two prerequisites of a life masterpiece molded by God. One is a masterful artist and the other is moist clay. One without the other is doomed for failure. A gifted artist can be motivated and available, but without a subject he only works in his imagination. A person can long to be the object of an artist’s inspiration, but there must be a relationship for them to benefit.

God is the artist and you are His subject. His part is to mold and create. Your part is to be available and teachable. This is how your Master works. He needs your life coupled with your undivided attention and your moldable heart and mind. Dry and brittle clay is useless in the hand of the potter. It cracks under pressure and gives in to discomfort.

However, clay that is moist and moldable is full of potential. In the beginning the sticky mire is hard on the eyes and uninviting, but over time it begins to take shape. The molding process is not easy. Sometimes you feel discombobulated and shapeless. You know God is in control, but your circumstances have you feeling upside down and spiraling out of control. This is God’s wheel of wisdom. Uncertainty and dizziness is God’s opportunity to grip the dampened clay of your heart and form dependence on Him.

Feel His fingers of compassion, hope and holiness. He not only comforts you, but also conforms you into the image of His son, Jesus. He has the big picture in mind as He looks down on the potter’s wheel. Your perspective is limited, as your look up from the clay soaked wheel peering up into the faithful face of the potter. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29a).

He is passionate about His work of art. Out of billions in the world you are His unique masterpiece. You are His one and only. He broke the mold on you and every one else. No one is quite like you. No one! Yes, He is still smoothing up rough edges and spinning out impediments to His will. Your life stays moldable through humility and teachability.

Sometimes it is the water of adversity that keeps the clay moist. Other times it is success that dampens the dirt. Whatever God is using to mold your character do not resist. Let Him process your life through His caressing and caring hands. It is better to be in the hands of God, spinning in uncertainty, than to be on our own, risk-less and rest-less. You are a beautiful masterpiece in process that one-day will be completed by your Creator.

“But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use” (Romans 9:20-21)?

Do I willingly submit to my Master’s molding me into the character of Christ?

Related Readings: Isaiah 29:15-16; 45:9; 64:8; Matthew 10:29-31; Philippians 3:20-21

Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God