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The Potter's Clay

Hebrews 3:8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,

I always find it amazing how God can speak to my soul before I even know I need His words.  As I read this passage, I find myself thinking of the testing I am experiencing now.  That refiner's fire that sometimes burns my soul to the core.  I realize God is removing all of me, so that more of Jesus shines through.  Every once in a while, I resist.  I bristle up and try to hold tight to my own thoughts and ways.  Then I read verses like this and slowly begin to feel myself release my hold.  Why is it that the times of testing are so difficult?  The times I find most difficult are those that are lengthy.  The little quick ones are easy to endure.  It is a fast moment and you let go.   The times that last are those where we fight the most.  I suppose that stands to reason.  We are holding tighter, or in some cases clueless of the need for refinement, and it takes more time for God to reveal His purpose to us because of our stubbornness.  I do not want my heart to harden as I walk through this desert.  I want to stay pliable for Him to do His handiwork.  In order to do so, I must pay attention to those times where I become rigid and pray for the Spirit to soften me into the Potter's clay.  "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." -Isaiah 64:8  Your will, oh Lord, not mine.

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