A while ago my husband told me he had an idea for a blog and felt like the Lord wanted him to share it. This is my first time having a guest writer and I am so happy that it gets to be my sweet husband. To say I am proud of him is an understatement! I pray that the message that the Lord gave him speaks to and encourages you!
Sitting at church
during our Wednesday night bible study a few weeks ago I was hit with this
message that I believe I needed to share. I have had discussions about “giving
it all to God” or “leave it all on the altar” with others of like-minded faith
in the past. I took a step back and thought about those phrases we hear
consistently in our walks. This particular night in bible study the Lord
dropped this scripture reference on me and it really made me think. I’ve been
putting off writing this out (delayed obedience is still disobedience), but I
hope it makes you think also.
We see
in scripture the reference to our Father as the great potter. We are the clay,
He is the potter (Isaiah 64:8). What the Lord dropped on me was if a literal
potter is at the wheel, he already has a plan. When he goes to work at the
wheel to make a pot, the potter needs the clay, and not just some clay, he
needs enough clay to make a
functional pot. 90% of the clay he needs isn’t enough. If he doesn’t have enough clay, 100% of the clay, as he
comes close to completion of the pot, he will notice that this pot is not going
to work properly. It won’t hold the water or substance that it is intended for.
An incomplete pot doesn’t retain water. An incomplete pot spills or leaks and makes
a mess that the potter has to clean up. He didn’t have enough clay on the wheel
to finish this project and for the pot to function where he needs it and how he
needs it to function. This pot does not get finished. This pot gets smashed
back down to a pile of clay to be turned into something else. This pot didn’t fulfil
its intended purpose.
Now,
think of this in the spiritual sense. He, our God, is the potter and we are the
clay. He shapes us. He molds us to function in His kingdom, His purpose, His
design. If we truly believe in our Lord and His abilities, why do we hold back?
Why don’t we “give it all” to God. Why do we think we can handle things
ourselves? Why do we hold on to worldly things? Has He not taken care of us up
to this point? Does He not give us purpose and use us according to His purpose?
We, as followers of Christ, have to stop holding back things of our past worldly,
fleshly things. Stop partially giving. 90%, 50%, or even 5% isn’t going to meet
the need. We have to start trusting in God and give 100% of ourselves. Take
that 10%, 50%, or 95% you hold back and leave it on the altar for God to take
care of. Give the potter 100% of the material He needs to make a functional
vessel that is useful to His kingdom. Useful to His purpose. This pot could fulfil
the intended purpose. This pot has a chance to change and give the Creator 100%
of the clay needed to form a sturdy vessel that serves a greater purpose. Don’t
live incomplete. Leave it at the altar. Give it all to God.
Blessings,
Dalton
Reference:
Isaiah 64:8
Jeremiah 18:1-4
