| FOOD FOR THOUGHT - Insights (11) |
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| INSIGHTS | ||
Personal experiences which have provoked thought - and created or reinforced particular insights about our lives in God's world.
In this example, one of our church members shares a thought-provoking meditation which she heard read by Christine Leonard (its author) during a Church Service at Bookham. MEDITATION ON THE POTTER. | ||
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…we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8
The thing is, Lord, I'm not too keen on being thrown on the wheel. It makes me so dizzy and, when you dig your thumbs in, it hurts. Yes, I know you use that nice warm, lubricating water of the Holy Spirit, and I'm really grateful, but I do feel that the mould method would be less stressful all round, really - if you want my opinion, that is.
No, you're right, the pot shouldn't tell the potter what to do. I'm really sorry. And yes, I do see that this way I will be unique. But - forgive me, Lord - can I say that, at the moment, I seem to be coming out a bit of an odd shape? It's just that if I go all askew - and I've seen that happen to clay on the potter's wheel before now - what happens then? I can't help noticing that bin over there, out of the corner of my eye as I'm whizzing round.
Oh, that's a relief! You never throw us away, you start again! No, I don't suppose that would be possible with the mould method, not once it was hard and dry. And yes, I do appreciate that this way I have your personal attention.
No, I can't say I had realized that you take pride and pleasure in me, even now, before I'm completed. I'm a masterpiece in the making? Me? Go on!
Yes, I understand now. You're a true craftsman, producing nothing but masterpieces. No, they don't come cheap, whatever way you look at it. You can say that again, Lord!
Ouch, is that pinching really necessary? OK, OK - you're the boss. Do what you have to do! Oh, and by the way, thanks for taking so much trouble!
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Sometimes, Lord, I think it would be great if you used moulds. You could get some of that liquid-clay stuff, pour it in, let it set and there we'd be - lots of nice Christians, all praising you and loving each other and doing good. We wouldn't have to be exactly the same; you could have different moulds - different sizes, different shapes, special ones with twiddly bits (so long as they weren't so elaborate you'd risk breaking the pot when you took the mould away). You could even colour the clay mixture before pouring it in. You can get brilliant effects like that, or so I've heard.