Thank you for walking this journey
of the life of David with me. I wrote this series from beginning to
end in 2019. So each week when I posted a devotion, I didn't even
know what I was going to post. It was a surprise to me as well. And
week after week the devotion spoke to my heart and I learned so
much. It just shows you, that it was His Spirit who wrote these
devotions, not me. He sees the future and knows exactly what we
need to hear at that time.
In 2019 I didn't know that
something like coronaviruses even existed. I never suspected that
we will ever have a total lockdown and that we will be tested in so
many ways. But unexpectantly it did. Our finances was tested, our
relationships, our true goals in life, our dreams, our academics,
everything. On the right and on the left, tests came our way. In
the process I know I have learned a lot about myself, weaknesses in
my life was laid bare and areas where I needed to work on was
revealed. It is a process that I would much rather have avoided,
but if I wanted to grow and be all that I can be I had to go
through it. And I am sure I am not alone in this.
I saw a video clip the other day of
a preacher doing pottery on stage whilst preaching. He showed the
audience that getting the clay ready to be made into pottery was a
very painful process for the clay. It certainly wasn't comfortable,
but the clay needed to be rolled and squashed and pounded in order
to be ready for the potter's wheel, ready to be all it could
be.
He then places this pounded clay on
the potter's wheel to make a beautiful pot. But he took a small
pebble and placed it in the clay, and lo and behold, the whole
piece of clay couldn't be made into a beautiful pot, it actually
literally fell apart. The pebble needed to be taken out, otherwise
the clay could be rendered useless. And the preacher said, it is
the same for us. The pebble represents scars from our past that
comes back to haunt us. It can be anything, from rejection, to
abandonment, to alcoholism, to divorce, to abuse, you name it. It
is scars not dealt with, and if we do not deal with them, then we
can never be the vessel God intended us to be. We need to allow the
Potter to help us to take out the pebble, we need to heal. He will
help us every step of the way, as He desires for each one of us to
become who He destined us to become. And we can only do that if we
heal from past hurts, forgive where we need to and let go of
bitterness. Then He will form us into the most beautiful vessel
useable for His Kingdom.
The process doesn't end there
though, we need to be placed in fire, in order for our vessel to
become strong. Once again, it is not the most comfortable process,
but one that needs to be done so that we can be the best we can be.
For instance how do you develop patience? By going through
frustratingly slow situations. How do you exercise and develop
peace? By going through difficult times. We are strengthened by
circumstances coming against us. But even when we are going through
the fire, remember that God is with us, just like He was with the
three friends of Daniel thrown into the fiery furnace.
I truly believe that God didn't
bring this COVID-19 crises upon us, but I do believe that He is
using it to strengthen us, to show us areas where we need to
develop as well as past hurts that we need to deal with once and
for all. He wants us to be the best that we can be. And if He needs
to use a crises like this to develop it, then so be it. May we all
come out of this COVID-19 pandemic, stronger than ever before. May
we become the vessel that God wants us to be, so that we can live
for His glory and exalt Him on high wherever we go. At the end of
the day, being the best we can be is not just the best for His
Kingdom, but for us as well. He has good plans for us afterall,
plans to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). He wants us
to prosper in all things, but first we need to work on our soul (3
John 1:2).We need to become the vessel He destined us to become. So
do not give up hope, when rough waves come and threaten to engulf
you, stand strong. God is with you and will never allow you to
drown. Just hold on to Him and allow Him to form you into the best
YOU you can be.
Father thank you that You dream big
about us. Thank you that You see the bigger picture and that you
are filled with love and compassion for us. Take us and form us
into the vessel You want us to be. And then use us for Your
purposes. Give us the strength and the patience to continue no
matter what. We love You. Amen