John 18:1-12
Have you ever fought, complained, or even rebuked a season in your life? Whether it's the season of singleness, hardship, or grief. John 18 tells us about a moment Peter tried to fight off God's will. To the point, he cut off the high priest's ear. Judas leads some of the chief's soldiers and officials to a garden where Jesus would often go to knowing Jesus would be there. When the soldiers arrived to arrest Jesus, Peter tried to defend and protect Him by taking out his sword. But Jesus commands Peter to put his sword away. Jesus knew and understood this had to happen to fulfill His purpose and live out God's will. How many times have you tried to fight off a season in your life? And if that is your current situation, where you find yourself fighting, hiding, rebuking, or complaining about your current situation, God is telling you to put your sword away; should you not drink from the cup you have been given? Rejoice in your suffering, singleness, or hardship because it produces endurance, and endurance produces character (Rom. 5:3-5). We are the clay He is the potter, we are the work of His hand (Isaiah 64:8). If you know the pottery process, you know it starts by choosing the clay. God chose YOU. Then it takes some trimming before it can be decorated. If God is trimming something in your life, it's part of the process. Then comes the decorating, where everything comes to life. Then it has to be dried out before it can go through the process of bisque fire, where the clay is transformed. After it transforms, it has to get glazed where the clay matures. Then it gets loaded into the kiln for a glaze firing, where again it begins to mature. Finally, it slowly beings to cool off. I do not know what process you are going through, whether it's the trimming, molding, drying out, maturing, decorating, or burning. But wherever you are, do not fight it, hide it, run from it, or rebuke it. It's all part of the process of transforming you into who He has called you to be.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for choosing me. Thank you for being the perfect potter. I repent for complaining, fighting, and rebuking the season I am in. I put my sword away and trust in your process, your will, and your way. Do as you will God, in me and through me, for your honor and glory. Amen
Worship Song