ACL Conference

I've been busy the past few days--meeting people, workshops, and sharing.

In this morning's devotion time, Dr. Doug Marks threw a pot while explaining the lessons that can be learned from the process.

• First, the clay has to be centered on the wheel, so that it rests in the potter's hands. Similarly, as Christians, we first have to allow God to place us in the center of His Will and learn to rest there.


• Second, he opened up the clay so that it was no longer a lump of clay, but had a shape in which things could be placed. We as Christian's have to be made open to God, able to hold what He has for us.


• Third, the clay is lifted up--shaped into a tall cylinder. We too must me lifted up, brought closer to God, prepared to be shaped, and thinned into a workable form.


• Fourth, in the only part of this process that allows artistic expression, the potter shapes the clay into the pot, bowl, or other shape he desires, taking the needs of the clay into account as he proceeds. God has something different and unique planned for each of us--something that matches our needs, as well as His.