(Jer 18:1-4 KJV) The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” In yesterday’s message I wrote, “A potter is an artist who selects clay according to the design he has in mind and then begins to shape and fashion the clay into the picture he preconceived.” From the perspective of God being the Master Potter, my point is that God developed a plan and purpose for our life before we were ever born and in my opinion, success in life is defined by finding, following, and ultimately finishing that purpose before we die. That’s my definition of success, but others have theirs as well.
I believe most people are striving for success without first defining it, therefore they never really know what they are searching for. People pursue money, a big house, a big family, an exotic car, etc., to be the symbol of success, but once again, I believe that for us, as believers, our personal success must be connected to God and His predetermined purpose for our lives. Getting back to the potter and the clay, the illustration shows God as the potter and the nation of Israel as the clay. The clay was marred, but it could not be because the potter (God) made a mistake. I am convinced that it was because Israel (the clay) was not cooperating with the potter. While God is the potter and we are the clay, He does not force His will on us. For God to freely operate in our lives He willingly seeks our cooperation. Therefore, when we fail to cooperate we run the danger of becoming something He did not intend for us to become. But if we submit and surrender to His plans and purpose, then we can become the vessel He originally pictured we would be, before we were ever born. Let’s thank God this morning that He is a potter who has extreme patience with us. Even when we push against His plans and purpose, He patiently waits for us to come back in alignment. When we do, we become successful. With that in mind, let’s look at how we can achieve success:
1. Find It: There is no such thing as success without purpose. You must find your purpose in life. Once you do, your purpose becomes the measuring stick by which you measure your success. My purpose will not be your purpose and yours will not be mine, therefore I cannot use your measuring stick to judge my life and vice-versa. I have to spend time with God to find out what He birthed me into the earth to do and you must do the same.
2. Follow It: Once you understand what your purpose is, then you must have the discipline to follow it until you die. What is discipline? In this context discipline is the self-imposed limitations and restrictions that keep you on track to arrive at a desired destination. Once you know where you want to go (your purpose), you must have the discipline to develop and follow a plan that will take you there.
3. Finish It: Lots of people start stuff. People start weight loss programs, work out programs, debt freedom programs, rehab programs, etc.; but success does not come to those who start, but rather to those who finish! Jesus finished His purpose at the tender age of 33 and after only 3 years of ministry, but once His purpose was complete, God took Him back home. John, on the other hand, lived to a very old age to complete his purpose. Once he finished writing the Revelation of Jesus Christ on the island of Patmos, his purpose was complete and the Lord took him home. Success is not connected to an age, it is connected to your purpose and in order to complete your purpose you must develop the Spirit of a Finisher!
Closing Confession: Father, I am Your child and I live my life by Your standards. My success is connected to my purpose. I have an ear to hear what You are saying to me. I hear from You and I am able to discover my purpose with crystal clear clarity. After finding it, I am determined to follow it all the days of my life. I develop a plan that will take me to Your desired destination for my life and I have the discipline to stay on course. Father, I will finish my course before I die. I enter this day with renewed commitment to Your purpose for my life! You are the potter, I am the clay, and I will cooperate with Your plans and purpose in order to become the vessel You pictured I would be! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
