I remember going to a creative pottery shop with my family and friends for a birthday celebration. We all gathered around the large tables and worked on our little piece of art to create a masterpiece. There were tiles which we could draw on and paint our own design, in whatever colours we chose. Some tried shapes and patterns, others created flowers of various shades, some designs were simple, others more intricate and detailed. Each person left their mark or initials to identify that they were the creator of this beautiful object. When everyone had completed their artwork, we handed the pieces to the shop assistant who informed me that I should return in a week to collect the tiles. They would need to be fired in the kiln (oven), before I would be able to take them home.

It’s amazing how excited you can become to see the outcome of something you have created. The wait to see the finished product appeared to be long, time seemed to drag, and one week can seem like a million years! Finally, when I looked at the different pieces I was astounded to see how individual they were; so colourful and creative in their own way. They were vibrant and vivid; the tiles were bright and glossy, smooth to the touch. I loved each one; they represented a precious memory, time we shared together as family and friends. It wasn’t about the object, the tile, alone; it was about the journey, the experience that surrounded it. The journey was just as important as the end result. Yet sometimes I find myself unable to apply this awareness to other areas of my life.

I expected that my singleness would be for a more manageable season, a shorter period in my life. I didn’t think I would be unmarried for as long as I have. I must admit in life I don’t always appreciate the process or the wait. In wanting to reach a goal or destination ASAP I may not be sufficiently attentive to what I can learn during the journey. As a single person I have an opportunity to learn about myself – how I handle challenging situations, whether I can persevere to achieve a purposeful life, to know my limitations, strengths and weakness, how to be more understanding and compassionate toward others, how to be more patient, how to be more forgiving and let things go. I have an opportunity to develop a lifestyle that is more balanced.

Maybe pain is inevitable in the process of learning as we interact with others or battle with issues, loneliness, broken dreams or broken hearts. I have found that at times pain was essential for growth and maturity, as the saying goes “No pain no gain.” In fact God never promised a “pain free” deal, but He did promise to be our comfort, “The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.” 2 Corinthians 1:3.

In Jeremiah 18:6 God says “You are in My hand.” Our life can be like a piece of pottery in the making. How willing are we to allow God to work out His plan of how He wants our life to go and develop our life in His own way. Sometimes there are simple or complex goals to be achieved, but ultimately we will all have to go through the fire, a time of testing, sometimes a time of pain, whatever the cause may be. Our Father God is the potter, He is the designer and creator, not us, we are the clay. It is our purpose to be moulded into the person that He wants us to be. Just as the tiles were wonderful designs that the creators could place their signature on when completed, after they were fired they were transformed, they looked more beautiful than ever and were hardened, having survived extreme heat.

God wants our characters to reflect him,

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

God is doing a work in us that we cannot do for ourselves. Sometimes it may be difficult and painful, but we need to allow Him to complete the process so that we can become the person He wants us to be.

We may not enjoy being in fiery situations, like being single at a time when we thought we would be married, however it helps if we can see that it is necessary to strengthen our trust and faith in God and develop our character.

We need to trust that God can bring about good from all circumstances, even those we would perceive as negative.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

“Behold I have refined you. But not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10

He is still working on each of us, so let us not lose hope, because in the end we will be more beautiful, more like Christ than we could ever believe possible.

Be Encouraged