The Potter and the Clay

So, I had the privilege of singing for a women's event this past weekend called "The Potter and the Clay". I'm not gonna lie, when I heard the title of the event - I kinda assumed it wouldn't be that great - maybe a little cheesy or out dated. (I hope this confession won't keep me from being re-hired at that church) But the crazy thing was that I was WAY wrong! It was excellent. The event featured Rachel Norris, an amazing potter, who demonstrates her crazy skills live on the stage while talking you through the pottery making process. She then shifts gears to talk about her own life - the Christian life and her testimony. She walked us through her crazy journey, that I cannot begin to do justice in sharing, and shared how relevant and real the whole idea of God as "The Potter" and us as "the clay" is to her in her life.

Having been redeemed from a very stubbornly selfish & reckless lifestyle, with a reluctance to ever do anything for the Lord, yet now God is using her heartbreaking & honest testimony while also featuring her skills as an artist to create beautiful bowls and things & share hope with others.

I don't know if it was the pregnancy hormones - or just me, but she had me crying from the start. I have always been familiar with the parallel of the God being the "The Potter" - duh, but being weaved in and out of her story, was just beautiful....and overwhelming to me.

A couple of the one-liners I wanted to share are:

- Potters are very particular about the clay they use - it has to be moldable and shapeable. Alot of times this means going through some strenuous breaking and bending that has to happen long before the potter begins the shaping process. A step that CAN NOT be skipped.

- Being a potter is way too much work and hassle to not have a true passion for what you are doing. This overwhelms me as a reminder that God DELIGHTS in his work in our life, otherwise He would not waste his time dealing with us!!

- The Potter has a vision for something beautiful, even though his hands are just filled with a big mess. As Rachel shared this point her hands were covered with dripping clay & a misshapen pitcher, such an amazing visual of us in the hands of THE Potter....incomplete & messy, but He has a beautiful vision for the lump in His hands. THANK YOU JESUS!

- Ultimately, it is The Potter who determines the shape and use of the pottery! This moment again, was amazing. Rachel had a flower pot shape on the wheel and then would barely touch it and turn it into another great functional piece; a mixing bowl, a serving bowl, a platter....in moments she changed the shape and potential use of the object. Again, overwhelmed to be reminded that it is GOD who chooses and directs our use and purpose. Sometimes we want so bad to be something else or to be used in a different way, but it is GOD, The Potter, who decides!

- The difference between useable pottery and unuseable pottery is - the fire. Going through the fire is what allows a piece of pottery to be of use. Again a step that can NOT be skipped over. Many times we dread and avoid the fire in life at all costs - but that is the tool that God uses to makes us useable vessels for him!!
 

Seriously, it was such a sweet event to be apart of & I was so glad I was wrong on my pre-judged thoughts! If you ever get the chance to check out Rachel Norris live - DO IT!! Also, if you are ever in Bryan, TX - stop by her shop there called Joy Pottery and support her business and ministry! Good Stuff!!