Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor. ~ Romans 9:21

O, how I long to be a vessel created for honor; I so desire that the LORD is glorified through me. So I set out to do His good works, not realizing that my flesh has tricked me and in reality I am attempting to do my own “good” works and pretending to do them in His name.  You may ask, “Whats the difference – doing His good works or doing your own good works in His name?”  The difference is found in my heart.  Whatever the work is, whether it is writing a christian blog, singing with a worship team, or even washing the dishes, if I am doing that work so that others see my “goodness” then I am not really doing anything pleasing to God.  I am doing it for myself and that’s not goodness at all.

In His goodness and His grace the Lord quietly whispered something to me that I desperately needed to hear.  He is The Potter, I am the clay, I am the work of His hand.  While it is okay to enjoy being appreciated for the work that may be happening through me, all the glory and praise for that work is due to the LORD, not me.  It is like this: a museum-goer may appreciate a painting hanging on a gallery wall, but the awe and praise for it’s beauty go to the painter not the painting itself.  The painting didn’t create itself, the painter did.

I am so thankful for quiet reminders such as this one:

But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand. ~ Isaiah 64:8