When God Wants a Man

Isaiah 64:8 "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."

Romans 9:20-23 "But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—"


As we have been navigating through Wayne's diagnosis, there have been many moments of great peace, but at times I have had questions. Sometimes I have asked "Why Wayne?", "Why our family?", "Why this cancer?" Although I think it is okay and not wrong to ask those questions, it is part of being a human, God has gently reminded me of who He is in those moments. In the book of Job, Job questions God about why things have happened in his life as well. Do you know how God responds? God asks Job a bunch of questions like where was Job when He created the storehouses of snow or where was Job when he put the stars in the sky? God never answers Job's questions, instead He points Job to Himself. Let's be honest, we humans want to think that we have it all together and that we know better then God. Why else would we question why He allows certain things in our lives? Don't we know better? Don't we think that if God only XYZ, things would be better? God's ultimate purpose in everything is to bring Himself glory and to fashion us into the model of His Son. Parents don't want to hurt their children and yet there are times that we know better then our kids when certain issues arise. We see the bigger picture of what lies ahead and we are preparing or protecting them. God is the same way. He allowed Satan to test Job to draw Job's heart closer to His. God allows things to happen in our lives for our good, even if we can't see it. God never promised that life would be easy. The bottom line is that we live in a sinful world. This sin-filled world is full of death and disease. God allows these things to continue as part of His plan to draw people to Himself. What is even better is that God's plan included a redemptive plan for mankind!!

On days that are harder and I start to question God and His purposes, I have to step back in faith and remember that He has our ultimate good in mind. Sometimes His ways aren't our ways, but we have to trust that His ways are the best. Last night Wayne and I were listening to a sermon by Ravi Zacharias called "Is There Not a Cost". In this sermon, Ravi read part of a poem called "When God Wants a Man". I thought it was beautiful. It speaks to this notion that sometimes God uses means and methods we wouldn't choose to mold us into the person He desires us to be.


"WHEN GOD WANTS A MAN"

When God wants to drill a man, and thrill a man, and skill a man;
When God wants to mold a man to play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all his heart to create so great and bold a man that all the world might be amazed;
Watch His methods, watch His ways.
How He ruthlessly perfects whom He royally elects.
How He hammers and hurts him,
and with mighty blows converts him,
Into trial shapes of clay that only God understands,
while his tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands.
How He bends but never breaks, when His good He undertakes.
How He uses whom He chooses and with every purpose fuses him,
With mighty acts induces him to try His splendor out.
God knows what He’s about.

-Author Unknown


How wonderful is that? God is molding each of His followers into beautiful pieces of art that reflect His glory. May we be pliable mold in our Potter's hands!!

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Update on Wayne:

We are entering week 2 of radiation and chemo. Tomorrow we meet with the radiology oncologist after Wayne's radiation treatment. Wayne is doing great so far on his treatment. He took four one hour walks this weekend and then came home and slept. We have read that staying active is key in staying healthy during treatment. To avoid getting sick, we decided to listen to the doctors and stay home from church for the next few weeks. We had church as a family yesterday. We sang songs, read the Bible and listened to a sermon. It was a special time of worship as a family!