What are you struggling with?

A potter is one whom works with pottery. The process of making pottery goes somewhat like this:

The potter takes a common piece of clay and molds the clay into a desired form; twisting, folding, wedging, and cutting along the way. After he has formed what he wants, then he puts the piece into a kiln and fires it up to over 2300 degrees. After it has been in the kiln for awhile, it comes out, cools off, and then goes back in for more heat for the final bake. But from that pressure of being molded and wedged and from the heat of the kiln, a beautiful piece of pottery is created that will last forever.

Imagine what it must be like to be a piece of clay. First someone comes along and digs you up out of your nice comfortable place in the earth. Next he molds and folds you in ways you have never experienced before. After all that is done and you think it’s over, he throws you into a kiln for hours on end. And just when you reach your breaking point and you think you can’t handle anymore, he takes you out and allows you to cool off. About the time everything cools off and your feeling good again, he throws you back into the kiln for another round of the most painful experience you have ever endured. But when it is all over, and you look at yourself shining and beautiful, you know it was all worth it. Anyone can be common old clay laying in the ground, but only the chosen that can handle the pressure and heat can become beautiful pottery.

And so it is with life. So many aspects of our lives can be put into perspective by this analogy; the trials and tribulations we are faced with every day. I heard a speaker on the radio recently talking about how you must experience pain to appreciate the good times. You know the old saying, “got to make it through the storm to get the rainbow.” All the same thing.

But some times the “trials and tribulations” are hard to under stand. “Why me lord? I am doing good; living right. Why did this have to happen to me?” It can truly shake a person to their core and test their faith more than some can handle. It is difficult at times to find the lemonade in the lemons. I have known this for quite some time. It is not a revelation, just common sense. Still doesn’t make it any easier though.

So, the next time you are struggling to understand and asking the question “why me Lord?”, just remember the beautiful pottery that you will become when it is all over. And whom best to be your potter than Jesus Christ? Later.