A group of workers were tasked to cut down trees, eager to finish quickly most of them rushed and started cutting down the trees. One man noticed his axe was dull, instead of joining the others, he sat and started to sharpen his axe. The others mocked him, but he ignored them he knew that without preparation, the work would be much harder and slower. When he finally began cutting, his sharp axe allowed him to work efficiently, while the others struggled with their blunt tools. He used less energy but achieved much more.
Just as a potter shapes clay into something useful, God shapes our lives to make us ready for His work. The shape, design, height and colour of the vessel that comes out of the potter’s hand is a well thought plan, a preconceived vision the potters mind. When it is ready, its then deployed according to plan. Some will stay indoors, some will stay outside and other will be sent away either as gift of merchandise sold. Then they shall be used as planned.
In 2 Timothy 2:21, Paul says, “If anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” To be ready to serve God, we must first clean our hearts by turning away from sin and things that keep us from God. This means obeying God’s Word, admitting our mistakes, and living the way He wants us to live.
Being “ready for the Master’s service” means living in obedience and letting God change us. As we allow Him to shape and cleanse us, we become people He can use for His purposes. Like clay in the potter’s hands, we must be willing to let God mould us to do the work He has planned for us. When we make ourselves available and allow Him to lead us, we are ready to serve Him and bring glory to His name.
As we continue the journey in the potter’s hand, the work of preparing us is deliberate and very focused. The service we are expected to give awaits us. When we get ready we are deployed, commissioned and positioned to the position into which we are expected to deliver results. Our service to the potter is the service we shall give.
OCTOBER BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
M
Pray Read Write Observe Apply.
Context is important. The verses below surround this month’s central theme, but if needed, read
additional passages to gain understanding.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE MONTH:
- Isaiah 6:1-8: Here I Am, Send Me
-John 13:1-17: Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
Romans 12:3-8: Humble Service in the Body of Christ
-1 Corinthians 12:4-27: One Body, Many Parts
- Philippians 2:1-11: Imitating Christ’s Humility
-Matthew 20:20-28: A Mother’s Request
-2 Timothy 2:20-26: A Worker Approved by God.