Both challenges and breakthroughs are divine tools to shape us to the best version of us. Like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are we in His hand.  See every present situation in the light of His presence and such revelation will cause a shift in our hearts to rest in Him knowing that all things work together for our good.

“So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.” (Romans 8:28 TPT)

It is our trust in the Potter’s goodness, mercy and grace that makes our hearts melt in His hand knowing that His love will never allow us to become contrary to His thoughts of us and plans for us.  They are designed to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us a hope and a beautiful future.  Indeed, we have entered a season where His goodness is so powerfully displayed that will bring a reverential fear in our hearts to submit and surrender to His will.

We have been so programmed in this world to see the return of investment first before we make a decision to release what we have.  But God Who is rich in mercy and abounding in love honors our faith to believe in Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond what we can think, dare, dream or imagine.  He continuously issues us an invitation to invest ourselves in His love.  All He desires is for all of us to get sold out into believing Who He says He is and who we are IN HIM.  We are His workmanship, His masterpiece, and He is the Master, Lord of all.

“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above–spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP)

It is our on going and ever transforming experiential knowledge of Him and His love for us that will make our hearts bank in and throw ourselves into His hand that is known to never even loosen His grip on us. He holds us tightly and firmly in the palm of His hand, upholding us with His righteous right hand, making right whatever is wrong in our lives. As we lean not on our own understanding, as we acknowledge Him and His ever present presence in all of our ways, SURELY He will direct our paths.

No clay in the potter’s hand has his way.  Instead, it is the Potter Who is in control of shaping and molding the clay. As the clay, we wait and cooperate, fully trusting and expectant that He is God and that He knows what He is doing. And as we wait, we continue to worship. Worship allows our spirits, souls and bodies to be embraced, enveloped and clothed in His presence where fullness of joy is found, in spite of the discomfort while being stretched, pressed, reformed and transformed. Truly, for the JOY that is set before us, with a confident expectation and anticipation of His goodness that will forever mark our lives, we endure, not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God Who is our strengthener and comforter.

“Wait for and confidently expect the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the LORD.”  (Psalm 27:14 Amp)

Our expectation is the landing strip for breakthroughs to land.  Character reformations and transformations are of vital necessity that will sustain the blessings that He is about to pour into our lives. His advancement, refinement, enhancement and improvement plans and strategies are there to build us strong in Him and in the power of His might. He is establishing our roots to be firmly rooted and grounded in His love that will make us stand the test of time, let alone the storms of life.

We are a work in progress and in the process we walk with our foundation still increasingly founded in His love.  Everyday is an opportunity to learn and discern.  Sometimes, as cracked pots, as we ourselves are hurting, He allows the water of His word that has been poured in us to leak through us. As we continue sit at Jesus’ feet, to be filled and flooded with His word, through our cracks, we get privileged to water those around us. In spite of our imperfections, He still continually uses us to refresh others and it is in this process where we get refreshed ourselves.  We do not allow our challenges to dry us up.  Instead, we press in to be continuously immersed in Him.  We hunger and thirst for more of Him and undoubtedly we will be filled.

Remember this … He is never intimidated by our waywardness.  No amount of a man’s disobedient inclination can stop His love from pursuing us.  One day, like the prodigal son, we’ll stop running and turn around, and find the Father’s loving embrace wide open to welcome us home.  Once found in His love, our hearts of stone become a heart of flesh, easy to mold, as He shapes us the way He wants us to look and directs us where He chooses us to go.  

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.” (Proverbs 21:1 AMPC)

The Potter’s Hand by Darlene Zschech

Beautiful Lord, wonderful Savior
I know for sure all of my days are held in Your hand
And crafted into Your perfect plan

You gently called me into Your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord, to live all of my life
Through Your eyes

And I’m captured by Your Holy calling
Set me apart, I know You’re drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord, I pray

Take me and mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the Potter’s hand
Call me, You guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter’s hand