It’s been over a week since Halloween, when kids roamed the neighborhood, little and big, in search of candy and fun. Our neighbors from our cul-de-sac gathered together, sitting, talking, and making it easy for the kids to go down the line and grab goodies.
A few doors down, a couple brings whimsy and wonder to the neighborhood. They went all out for Halloween, and everyone who came by was treated generously with sweets; even the adults.
And it’s all still up. Celebrating isn’t just a day. It’s an experience of process; just keep on keeping on.
Sadly, celebration isn’t valued very highly today. We’re too consumed with being like everyone else, allowing influencers, media, and strategists of all kinds to dictate what is best for us, who we should be, what we should do.
My son is a vintner by trade and a potter by avocation. He doesn’t have as much time anymore to work on his pottery; the vineyard requires a lot of work. But pottery is an outlet for his creativity, and he explained to me how challenging it can be. It’s not just forming clay.
He told me the hardest part isn’t the shaping of the clay, but the centering of it on the wheel, which is always moving. Clay must be thrown with force onto the wheel so that it makes a complete, air-free seal with the surface of the wheel and stays anchored so the potter can shape it.
Clay doesn’t always want to be centered. It takes the potter’s skill to know how to throw the clay on the wheel, and it may require several attempts before it’s centered. Once centered, it can be shaped into whatever the potter decides it must be. Once it begins to take shape, the potter will use tools to inscribe designs on it, always keeping one hand on the clay. If both hands are removed, the clay will fly off the wheel.
We are the clay. From birth, we are being shaped by family, friends, school, and others in our lives. We learn values, truth, and right from wrong. Sometimes the lessons are painful; sometimes from the people in our lives, and sometimes from circumstances. We are all made in the image of God, and His impact in our lives is significant; He shapes us to become all we can be. “And yet, O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay, and You are the Potter.” Isaiah 64:8.
Nothing God shapes is less than beautiful. He created each of us with joy and a celebratory heart. “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. Clay can’t create itself into anything; it needs the hands of the Master Potter to give value to the creation He produces. We are His masterpiece, works of beauty and worth. Not mass-produced, but each designed for a unique and wonderful purpose.
God celebrates His masterpieces. Always. “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17.
As our neighbors enjoy the celebration of holidays (just wait till Christmas!), God enjoys celebrating us daily. His delight in us is greater than we can imagine. We are His greatest magnum opus. His most famous achievement.
Do you see yourself as a work of art?
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