"Strong, Radiant & Useful"

Written by R. E. Bailes

Feeling The Heat?


There are days, weeks or months in our lives when we especially feel the pain of the enemy's attack. During these times we continue on with what we know we ought to do in our life and with what is right although it isn't easy. These attacks can be in the form of small temptations and thoughts in an attempt by the enemy to cause us to turn our eyes away from our focus for just a moment to refocus on something different that could actually bring us relief from our struggle to do what is right.

I'm not saying that we live every day like this or we wouldn't ever be used for our purpose of existence on the earth.

The relief I speak of would offer us a break from the discipline that comes with living a life in communion with God. This discipline is our choice to take the path that leads to truth and the life that flows into our being instead of out of our being. Have you ever seen a coworker or friend the day after going out on the town and so called "living it up"? Did they look revived and full of life? They fell for the temporary deception of the enemy that seeks to destroy and take away life; not give it.

The stress that a believer feels is real and stems from satan as the temptations come and the remarks are made by those who have chosen satan's path to find relief. The chiding and sarcasm can cut deep sometimes or the false accusations and jealousy of those who wanted to live right, but didn't have the strength to do it. The thing is that God uses this stress to make us strong and beautiful and useful for His purpose and benefit. Don't turn back and go for what looks like relief!
1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Have you ever seen a clay pot just after it was shaped and removed from the wheel? It is dull and kind of ugly and it has to dry out in the sun for a while. The next thing that happens is to add the coloring and the glaze which doesn't look very good either. When the glaze is applied over the entire pot, it appears that the vessel that took so long to make has just been ruined for sure! It remains this way until it is put into the oven and exposed to the fire. When it comes out of the fire, what appeared to be dull and ugly, now is a beautiful piece of art. It is shiny and the colors radiate with excitement and life! Some pieces even become very highly valued and collectible. The pot goes into the fire essentially useless as a weak and easy to break clay mold. It appears dull and coated with a milky coating that gives it an appearance that someone had made some kind of mistake while preparing the vessel for the furnace. Until this point there isn't much attention given to the vessel or the potter as far as that goes! I don't think many people would show up to see a museum full of pots and vases made by a potter that had never been put into the fire. Wouldn't you agree?

Only the fire can truly make the difference! The fire alone strengthens the vessel, making it able to withstand the bumps and bangs it might receive in the course of performing the purpose for which it was created.

Then there is the amazing transformation which takes place on the surface that is evident once the pot has had time to cool down. The heat turns the messy looking glaze into a shiny protective shield which will keep the pot resistant to the elements and the stains that would tarnish or fade it's radiant beauty. While going through the heating process there is a reaction that transforms the dull resins and colors into a glorious array of beauty which satisfies the eye of the potter!

You see, it is satan that tries to fool us into believing that his temptations will bring us relief and happiness; all the while drawing us away from the fire. The firing of a pot has to take place in a certain order and timing so the pot will not crack. If it cools down too fast or doesn't get hot enough it will crack and fall apart. When this happens the potter must start all over with this project until the vessel is finished and ready to be revealed to the world. The properly fired vessel is now capable of fulfilling the purpose for which the potter shaped it.

The potter shapes the clay for many purposes!
The same clay that makes vases to hold flowers is used to make the dish for baking grandma's pies or to make the bowl for feeding the hungry in Asia. Every vessel must be shaped by the hand of the potter as the wheel turns around and around. The potter's eye must remain focused on every turn of the wheel while the clay takes shape and carefully removed from the wheel to start the next step.

As the materials are added to bring out the desired colors, it is the potter who knows how they will react to the fire and how hot the fire needs to be to cause the proper reaction to take place in the resins that are used. When the materials used are heated up, there are different reactions, depending on the type of resin used in making the colors and designs on the vessel. When the potter chooses the resins to use, there is a vision in mind of the final product, but the heat will determine exactly how it comes out!

I only know this because I'm one of those annoying people who asked allot of questions at an art viewing where there was allot of pottery on display. I have never actually done this type of work myself and don't think I would have the patience to do it either; though I love to look at them and greatly appreciate the finished product.

I have learned that there are many things that I don't understand in life but I know where to find direction when I need it! One place I look for this is in the Proverbs!

Proverb 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

God has a vision in mind for each of you as well!
He has been shaping you and adding the resins that may not look so great right now or maybe He's been adding the glaze that looks all hazed and dull, but that is what shines and protects your life when the fire is turned up! You will become the useful vessel God meant for you to become as you stay in the path of your Potter.

Maybe you have been prepared and are already in the fire right now!
The heat has been turned up and satan is tempting you to doubt the hands of the Potter every time you turn around! That is why the Bible tells us to rejoice when we are experiencing tough times and difficulties in our walk with God. Rejoicing that God is getting us ready for the main purpose we have been intended to perform here!

God explains it in His Word, but most of us haven't heard the message enough to understand! It is in the fire that we are getting our strength; our protection and our radiant colors that make us shine and our ability to be used effectively for our unique purpose in a world of unfinished vessels! You have a unique purpose! You are very special in the hands of your Creator!

Satan wants us to turn back and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh; to cool down and crack becoming a useless vessel in the hands of the Potter! Don't be fooled!
Instead, give thanks to God; realizing that it is the fire in your life that makes you into what He wants you to be and He knows when you have reached the point of strength, protection and beauty that you need to be Useful in His hands!

Trust your life in His hands and you'll be glad you did!

1Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.