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Thou Art The Potter...I Am The Clay
Author : Donald Mehl
Thou Art The Potter...I Am The Clay
There is a great hymn that we just don’t often hear in our churches today. The lyrics are a fervent prayer expressed with true sincerity, humility, submission and exaltation, seeking the Lord’s will for our heart and lives. We are all truly just a lump of clay in the Master Potter’s hands awaiting His touch, then forming us and making us into what He would have us to be. Please, thoughtfully focus on the words of that hymn.
HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD
1. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
2. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.
3. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
4. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o ' er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
Scripture tells us that God never changes and is the same yesterday, today and forever. But sadly many, if not most, churches today are very busy trying to attract "seekers" by forming or molding God into something the world would want Him to be. Excuse me, but God has always done, and will always do, the molding of the clay - not the other way around.
It seems that many people today just want to be entertained at church and not made to feel uncomfortable. Churches have responded by providing warm, fuzzy, feel-good, easy believe-ism and don’t offend types of messages. Also, sermons are developed using trendy, new fad subject materials that have virtually no mention of God’s judgment, our sinful nature, punishment for sin, repentance, the old rugged cross, end time prophecy or the clear message of salvation. Often sermons and teachings make use of watered down, paraphrased Bible versions that distort, diminish and alter the theme or context. Much of the contemporary music consists of shallow, repetitive lyrics accompanied by sounds akin to secular rock bands. Hi-tech sound and video systems are everywhere to enhance the worship "experience".
Many mainline churches are altering or changing their name to conceal their true identity and deceive would-be churchgoers. Christian symbols such as crosses, hymnals and even solid Bible translations are beginning to disappear from our churches. Many church expansion and marketing techniques borrowed from the so-called "mega" churches seem to be the order of the day. Today it seems there’s so much of the world in the church and so much of the church in the world that, many times, it’s difficult to tell the difference. When black and white are blended together, it all becomes gray.
The list could go on, but the bottom line is that God is being brought down to the level of the world in order to fill the pews. The mentality today seems to be "give them what they want to hear, then they’ll come". Sadly, when they get there, they are not likely to hear the true gospel message of salvation. In most church services, unbelievers will be there for an hour and then leave without a clue as to why they need to be saved or how to become born again. The gospel message must be clearly preached at every opportunity with the invitation given for them to invite Jesus into their heart as Savior and Lord. That is the only thing that really matters.
The clay must be placed back into the Master Potter’s hands now while there is still time. As the great hymn says, "Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!" and then, "Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!"
Author's Resource Box
Mr. Mehl’s hope and prayer during his retirement years is that he might serve the Lord in part by sharing the Good News of the Gospel through his written work. As the Lord leads and uses his writing style, scripture knowledge and insight, his work will be informative, challenging, assuring and interesting for the reader. His articles appear monthly in Christian newspapers and online magazines as well as several Christian websites. Watch, pray and keep looking up for the Blessed Hope!
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