Revisiting "Fingerprints"

So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. (Jeremiah 18:3-4) 

In the context of this entire Scripture, the Lord addresses the Israelites’ sin-filled ways that are in need of repentance. He is seeking the restoration and unity of his people. 

Parts of our lives often need reshaping. 

We are created in God’s image. The process of transformation into that image is ongoing. Repenting means I become aware of needed life-choice changes. As there are some changes only the Lord can achieve, He asks that I put myself into his capable hands. 

The following imagery offers me clues about this process. “The potter’s house . . . working at the [his] wheel . . . he was shaping . . . as it seemed best to him.” The potter—God—is in control. He is personally attentive. The blueprint of my life is one He designed. He does not want me marred and unable to become all He created me to be. 

Like you, I have had dreams and plans for my life. There have been starts and stops, detours and surprises along the way to their fulfillment or my acceptance that they will not be fulfilled. When challenges come, for however long they may last, I feel broken. The brokenness may be for a good reason and for God’s purposes. 

How can God work within my brokenness? 

Foremost, I committed my life to him. As shattered as I can feel, his good plans for me remain intact. Do I trust him completely? Am I pliable? Can I soften to be honest and share with him all that concerns me? Am I willing to look and acknowledge where my hands have misshapen my life? 

When I choose to surrender my control, I become clay in my Potter’s hands. I am ready for him to work. His fingers can mold, refine and restore me as seems best to him.

Prayer

Lord, I want your gentle fingerprints all over my life. Help me willingly surrender to you. Work out your will for me—in your way and in your time. Amen.

Here are 'outtakes' from the photo shoot I did with potter, Jamie Zach in 2011 - quite the time with that wheel whirling but we both agreed on the photo that eventually went into the book. I remember shooting photos for about 45 minutes to get THE one!

I thought you might enjoy seeing a few of the others!