Clay (Part 1) The Lump

 I’d like to tell you a story. This story is one that is of utmost importance to each and every one of us present here. After all, it is the story of you and me. And most importantly, it is the story of a God that loves us extravagantly. I don’t know if any of you have ever watched a potter at work, but it is truly a fascinating experience. No matter how often I see it happen I am instantly mesmerized by the artistry and skill that is required of a potter. The way that his hands shape the lump of clay. The way that his hands don’t stop forming that lump until it is the exact piece of art that he was intending to create. Did you know that God is called the Potter? In Isaiah 64 and verse 8 we read, “Yet Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hands.” (HCSB) This is a vital thing for us to remember because clay is nothing pretty to look at. We love to think of ourselves as the grandest and greatest of all God’s creation (and we truly are something spectacular—we are God’s handiwork! We are created in His image!) BUT we’re still just a lump of clay in His powerful hands. Don’t get me wrong here, I believe that we have value, but it is good for us to get our perspective back sometimes. How often do we sit and argue with God about how the world should operate? How often do we tell God how our lives should run? It’s not about us! We are the ones that must submit to His will in our lives.

            In the second chapter of the Bible, we are presented with this verse “ Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” (HCSB) God formed us from the dust. We are but dust in His image, but God in His crazy, perfect, omnipotent way chose to make this dust a bit special. He decided that this specific piece of dust, was going to carry His image, His mark, His stamp. God used the most common thing on this planet—dirt and dust—to create His most unique creation—man. He made us to look like Him. He made us to be with Him. He made us to love Him.

            Of course, just like human beings, this lump of clay decided that he could make himself a little better than he had already been made, and at that moment, the Potter’s heart broke. The relationship changed. Perfection was no longer an option for man. What was the Potter’s response? Was it to throw away that piece of clay? After all, the clay was now misshapen and deformed. No. He chose to pursue after it. God is a loving and gracious God. He knows what’s best for His creation, but His creation just doesn’t see it sometimes. God is a God of infinite love and mercy. Beyond what we can imagine. God sent His Son to fix that misshapen piece of dirt that you and I are. He came to make us perfect. The way the Potter intended, before the dirt started to talk back. God loves you and is pursuing you with unbridled passion.

Unto The Least of These

I have been a part of and visited so many different churches around the country, and what stands out the most to me is a lack of care for the people around them. I am so thankful that I am now a part of a church that is truly living out the message of the Gospel - reaching the people that Jesus loves.

Sometimes, we as the Church, set out with our own mission statements that Jesus didn't give. We say, "Let's go win the lost that look like us..." or "Let's go support this ministry that deals with THOSE kinds of people." I say we have a problem in the Church. We should not be picking and choosing who is granted access to the love of Jesus. The love of Jesus is for all - not just you and not just me.

I ran across a blog this morning that reminded me of a certain sect of society that is overlooked by the Church at large.

Now, don't get me wrong, the Church cares for the homeless. We build homeless shelters. We have our food pantries. We have our clothing drives.

But what about when they come through the doors for our morning worship?

How do we treat them at that point?

Do they smell a little bad? Do they have a bit of alcohol on their breath? Do we care if they can't throw anything in the offering plate?

I won't talk much more about this. I will allow Amy Simpson to tell you what is on her heart. Here is the link to her blog.

"6 Ways Churches Should Be More Like Libraries"

http://www.qideas.org/blog/6-ways-churches-should-be-more-like-libraries.aspx

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”     - Matthew 25:31-46 NLT