Delighting In The Progress

"Delight in the process by trusting in Him who forms us."

When looking at art, we are in awe of the finished product, but what we often don't see is the maker's process. What if instead of being in awe of the masterpiece, we delight in the process?

If you find yourself similar to me, waiting patiently is a struggle. I want to know right away, to see, and understand what is happening or what is going to happen. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines process as this: a series of actions that produce something or that lead to a particular result.

Like the potter who makes jars of clay, there is a series of actions needed to achieve the end result. The process of the clay is a series of retrieving it from the earth, cleaning it, getting rid of sticks and stones that become stuck, pressing, molding, shaping, spinning, drying, and firing it. Then when the potter is finally done, the masterpiece is complete.

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." -Ephesians 2: 10

The Greek word for masterpiece or handiwork (found in other Bible translations) is poiema, meaning a work of art or crafted creation. How can I delight in the process when life gets hard? Trust in the Lord our Maker! We can delight in trusting He has in mind the end result.

When the unknown creeps into our mind, we can hold fast that God is all knowing. God is working on us. His hands are crafting us with purpose; nothing is accidental.

If I can just remember that next time, I can be better at trusting Him. But when times get rough and things become uncertain, I am quick to forget. I’m repeatedly learning to trust in God still. Up until recently, I thought I had to be better at trusting God every time. But instead of being better or even good at trusting Him, I simply have to let go and surrender.

Surrender the not knowing, not seeing, and not understanding.

Friends, we must be quick to remember and trust that the process of any masterpiece, especially His masterpiece, requires us to be softened. Just as water is used to clean and soften the clay so the potter can easily mold it, we must yield to the Holy Spirit. It is a lifelong process and we must trust Him. We must trust in the Lord our Maker when He pours onto us so He can mold us.

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." — 1 Corinthians 6:11

Life will be hard. Am I yielding and being softened by the Holy Spirit? Am I surrendering to the hands of my Maker? Or have I dried out and become unmoldable? I know it isn't easy, in fact most of the time it can feel unbearable. But let us delight in the process by trusting He who forms us. Trust that in this lifelong process we are being sanctified for His glory. If perhaps today you have forgotten who holds us, it's okay. We don't have to do better in trusting Him, we just trust Him. Let us delight in the work He is doing, rather than being caught up in seeing the final product.