Wednesday, February 26, 2020

2-26-2020


Good Morning All, 
         Isaiah 64:8; “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."
       There was an article that I read a while back about a man who attempted to swindle some people out of their money.  He told them he was investing it wisely, but he was spending it on financing his lifestyle.  He bought fancy cars, took expensive vacations, and bought expensive artwork.  When they finally caught up to him, most of the authorities warned the duped investors that they may only get back a fraction of their original money.  They sold all the con man’s possessions to help recover the losses.  They were stunned when some of his artwork, especially some of the vases and pottery, brought incredible amounts.  The original investors actually made more money from the sale of the artwork than they would have from the con man’s claimed investments!
    It is amazing how much some artwork can be so expensive.  There was a vase from the Chinese Qing dynasty that sold for over $80 million.  So, what made that vase so valuable?  It was only painted baked clay; where does its value come from?  Mostly it came from its age and the rarity of the piece.  It also came from the skill of the potter who made it.  It came from the potter’s ability to mold and to shape that lump of dirt into an artistic expression that would become almost priceless.
    This is how we should view our self and each other.  We are really only lumps of clay; in and of itself, clay has very little value.  But once the clay is molded and shaped by the masterful hands of the craftsman, it has great value.  Our value is not in what we are but in who has crafted us.  Our value is because of God’s work in us and for us.  We have value because God says we do.  Yet it goes beyond this simple fact.  I have value because of Jesus Christ but so do you.
    We need to remember that it is not a “me” world.  This is God’s creation and “we” live in it.  All of God’s children have great value.  We need to see that the value of everyone is high.  No one is of “no value.”  All have the same price exacted for their soul; the price of God’s only Son was paid for each of us.  It was paid for you, but not just you; it was paid for everyone.  Everyone should be viewed as God’s redeemed child, my brother and sister, your brother and sister.  This is why God wants us to love each other as he has loved us.  We are his children and we are brothers and sisters.  So, God wants us to care for each other holding each other as valuable works of art products of the master’s hand.
Gracious Lord, you have molded and shaped me to be your child.  Guide me so that I will extend to those around me the love that you have for me.  At times I will fall short; lead me to repent.  At times others will fall short; lead me to forgive.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.                                                                    
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret

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