Always a beautiful work of art

On the island of Rhodes, I watched an apprentice potter grasp a dull gray lump of clay. He shaped this lump on his spinning potter's wheel, molding it skillfully with his fingers. Within minutes it had become a beautiful vase.

Prophets from 2500 years ago found the clay and the potter a good metaphor for the relationship of man to God. Isaiah wrote, "O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."

Paul too uses the potter metaphor in his letter to the Romans. He advises against questioning the skill or the motive of the potter. And he addresses the need to trust the potter, and not become so absorbed in our own projects that we miss God's very presence!

I can relate to that. There are many times when with unbridled enthusiasm I have rushed forth with what seemed to me a great idea -- only to realize somewhere down the line when things began to unravel, that I hadn't asked God's opinion.

So I'm getting better at going to God first. With a "God, what kind of pot would you like me to be today? How can I best serve you today?"

As long as it's is my Maker's idea, I've learned I can be not only content, but rather excited about how He/She shapes and molds my day. And maybe that's where the pottery metaphor ends. Because while a vase or a water pot is a completed object, infinite Mind's (another name for God) creation is actively and continuously unfolding. It just never ends.

And so our Maker's purpose for us continually unfolds, providing us with new views, new insights, clearer understanding, fresh opportunities.

_______________________________________________________

The potter is not in the clay;
else the clay would have power over the potter.

God is His own infinite Mind, and expresses all.

Mary Baker Eddy

_____________________________________________________

"Excellent" parenting

It was a birthday party. Shouts and laughter emerged from one of those inflatable things with a net-enclosed bouncing room. Then I heard a grandson voice say, “Now you’re asking for it!” A moment later another little boy emerged crying loudly.

I’m not sure what had transpired, but both moms reprimanded their kids. They sincerely apologized to each other and spoke gently, not placing blame. I was grateful to see common sense and good parenting reign. Each mom admonished her boy to treat others the way he wants to be treated. Neither was trying to be the perfect mom with perfect children. They were helping their young men learn and grow socially.

“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for. Perfection is God’s business.” Michael J. Fox

There is a difference. And people mess themselves up if they confuse the two. Mr Fox is quite right.

Trying to be humanly perfect is an exercise in frustration, because “humanly perfect” is an oxymoron. Nothing human is or can be perfect. Even the best of what we do humanly, changes.

So what did Jesus mean when he said, “You are to be perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”? The Greek word, teleios, translated in King James as “perfect” actually has the meaning of complete, in the sense of growing in mental and moral character.

This makes perfect (pun intended) sense, coming as it does near the middle of the Sermon on the Mount – that blueprint for all relationships. This nutshell of Jesus’ life-message offers specific behaviors in tough situations for people to get along with one another, and to feel good about their own progress. It’s about improving what’s going on in our thinking. What we think comes out in what we say and do. The Sermon offers productive alternatives to arguing and fighting, deceit and selfishness.

Jesus required looking within and improving our thoughts and deeds so we can grow mentally and spiritually into something resembling how our Maker knows us and intends us to be.

Both moms were gracious and generous, following the altercation.

Excellence IS something we can reach for.

Here are two useful takes on the “Be perfect” statement.

“There must be no limit to your goodness,

as your heavenly Father’s goodness knows no bounds.”

New English Bible

“Live generously and graciously towards others,

the way God lives toward you.”

The Message