Filthy but chosen...

          Recently, I became interested in the process a potter goes through to make clay into something useful. I decided to do some research to get a clearer picture of what the clay in fact does go through because it seems to so much parallel what we go through in God’s hands. I came upon an account by an author Phillip Keller who spent some time observing the process as carried out by a potter who lived in Afghanistan.
         One of the first things this potter did was to gather some clay so, he went to the riverbank and spent some time carefully choosing the clay he wanted. I found this interesting because he did not simply pick a piece of clay, he was very particular about which piece he wanted. The Bible says that we are chosen by God (Ephesians 1:4). It tells me that God was very particular when He chose us. But that wasn’t all. He had to go through filth to get to the clay. It was a pretty dirty, messy process! God didn’t choose us based on outward appearance – we didn’t have to be pretty enough or clean enough – He chose us based on purpose. Sometimes, we may feel unworthy, not good enough. We may feel that we need to get it right to be chosen and even used by God. But that’s not the case. WE don’t have to have it all together. When God chooses us, it’s HIS job to clean us up and make us fit for His use!
         I think of my own life. There was nothing particularly special about me when God chose me. I wasn’t pretty enough, or clean enough, or even good enough. I had a whole lot of things wrong with me and I still have some pretty messy things to deal with. But one of my consolations is that God chose me because He has a plan and purpose for my life. As Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The King James Version says: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” God’s thoughts toward me are thoughts of love and peace. He doesn’t desire to destroy me, but to save me and make me into a precious vessel fit for His use. God is not turned off by my mess. I’m not too messy or too dirty. I’m just right in His eyes and He has the ability to turn me into something beautiful. 
         So, the next time you feel unworthy, not good enough, not special enough, just remember that God, your Creator, is not turned off by your imperfections, He is not turned off by your mess. He loves you just as you are and is more than able to turn you into a beautiful, priceless, useful piece of art! 

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