God is a Blacksmith

Originally posted on February 28, 2005

That's right, I said God is a blacksmith as well as a potter. I have good reason for that, too.

See, when I was saved on January 30, 2002, I asked God to make a difference in my life. I asked that He make me into the person He wants me to be. I really didn't think that meant He had to do something with all the other stuff in my life.

Many people compare God to a potter. Potters take a lump of formless clay and mold it until it becomes something beautiful or useful. That molded clay is then baked until it becomes firm, though breakable. A good potter can make something useful and beautiful. The key here is that the potter take a lump of formless clay.

Do you realize what a blacksmith does? When, for example, a blacksmith makes a horseshoe, he takes a straight iron rod and heats it. When he removes it from the fire, it is glowing. Then he beats it with a hammer. The iron doesn't get a break, it is put right back into the fire. This process of heating and beating is repeated until the straight iron rod looks like a horseshoe. The harder the iron, the longer the process. Note: For those of you who want to be swords for the spiritual battle, the process is the same.

How many of you were formless before God got 'hold of you? I know I wasn't. I had a form, and it wasn't pretty. Nor was it anything approaching Godly. I was quite the sinner, with an eye on bringing others down to my level. I won't go into gory, graphic details, but let's just say it involved tequila and wild women.

Needless to say, when I 'gave God permission' to change me, he had to first undo something that was carved in stone. I was not soft and malleable. I was hard. I had some bad lifestyle choices that had to change. Changing those life choices was not going to be easy.

First, I lost my job. Since my wife had a decent job, we have not missed any bills. We did have to make some changes, however. That leads to the rest of the heating and beating:

• I am now a stay-at-home dad. I never realized how hard housewives work! And they never get any credit!
• Though I have applied for literally thousands of jobs, I have only interviewed twice. I had to turn down both offers because they would cost me money if I accepted.
• My kids are constantly trying my patience. Well, don't all kids do that to their parents?
• I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
• My wife is no longer happy with her job. That increases stress at home.

Need I go on?

Yes, the heatings and beatings will continue until morale improves. Well, to be perfectly honest, my morale has improved. I have learned that, in accordance with His word, He will provide. He will take my burden. He will give me peace. He will make me a success at all I do in His name.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you created the heavens and earth. You created every star and every grain of sand. You created the animals, birds, fishes, trees and grass. You created iron and water and air. Yet you still care about each grain of sand. You care about each feather on each bird. You care about me. You alone are God and you alone are holy.

Father, I know I am not worthy to come into your presence. My sinfulness have separated me from your holiness. Because you love me in my sinfulness, you sent your holy Son, Jesus Christ, a part of you, to die a horrible death. His death was the ultimate sacrifice, and His blood absolved my sin. His life was the perfect example, and His resurrection was victory over death. Through Jesus I am a new man; my sin forgiven.

I thank you for all the blessings you have poured out on me. You have provided for me shelter and clothing and food. You have given me gifts that I may use to serve you. You have promised for me an inheritance in your palace and royal family. Most of all, I thank you for Jesus Christ.

Father, I ask you to show yourself to our world. Make yourself known. We want to reflect your glory. We ask that you watch over us. Post your angels around us to protect us from evil. Make us ready, willing and able to do your work. Make us bold yet humble.

We ask all this in Jesus holy name. Amen.