Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. –Isaiah 64:8
In college, I took a pottery class as an elective. That year, I decided to make each family member a special gift. I thought carefully about them all, considering what they liked, how their home was decorated, wanting to make them something both beautiful and functional. I worked for hours molding clay on the potter’s wheel, forming it into pitchers, bowls, mugs, vases, and other items. Then I glazed each piece and picked out the perfect colors. Each piece I made was special and unique, made with someone in mind.
One week at our church’s worship service, we sang a song I hadn’t heard since I was in Sunday School. It goes like this: “Change my heart, O God, make it ever new. Change my heart, O God, may I be like You. You are the potter. I am the clay. Mold me and make me, this is what I pray.”
I couldn’t help but be reminded of the class I had taken, and I began to think about how much pride God takes in each one of us as He molds us. Each curve, each hair, each freckle was perfectly placed to make you, you.
Over the years, since I first sang that song, I have changed. I have grown physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Celebrations and disappointments have affected me and changed me into who I am today. I love the simplicity of the worship song because it is a reminder that sometimes I let things change and harden me in a way not planned by God. Too often, I keep my own agenda and focus on myself, selfishly trying to be both the pot and the potter. This song was a reminder to me, that He is the great Potter. He is the ultimate Maker. I am the clay in His hands.
My prayer today is this, and may it be yours as well: Change my heart, Lord. Search it and find any offensive way in me. Make me more into Your likeness. You are my Creator and my Maker. Rid me of the debris I collect. Mold me, change me, and continually make me new each day. Amen.
GOING DEEPER:
1. In what ways is your heart pure and in line with what God desires? In what ways has your heart detoured from Him?
2. Take time to pray right now that the Lord would change and renew your heart so you can live the life that He has planned for you.
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 3:1-2; Matthew 5:8