I am a vision. So are you. From the beginning of time, God took great care in imaging each of us and carefully stored his vision of us away until the moment we would become the block of clay on his wheel. Because of our Creator God, we need not be concerned with our form, for it was designed to fit the Father’s will for this life. Yet, sinful, self-focused creatures that we are, we constantly slap at the Master’s hands as they try to form us. Likewise, we try to leave God’s pottery wheel believing we can shape ourselves better. The result of our disobedience and pride will be no less than flaws: both in our spiritual and physical bodies.
When I was a little girl my Dad was part of a small group of artisans who opened up a gallery in uptown Whittier, California. Each had their own unique craft and station in the store. It was an exciting place to be as a child. There was a jewelry artist, potter, sculptor, painter, macramé weaver and welder. I used to sit and watch the hands of each artist as they fashioned beautiful things out of wood, stone, beads, yarn and clay. My Dad was very gifted and tried his hand in most mediums. His wood carving, painting and welded sculptures were stunning and soon dressed up our modest home. Once he created an eagle with a six foot wing span. I used to imagine the beast scooping up my big sister with its terrifying talons when she was being exceptionally bossy.
The vision I have of my Dad and the other artists hard at work is burned in my mind and serves as a wonderful example of the hands of God at work fashioning me. I imagine the Lord bending near to execute the tiny details in my life and spirit, his eyes fixed and focused, his brow furrowed with concentration and his jaw set. The world is shut out for the moment as the Artist tends to his creation, mind, body and soul.
On the median directly outside their shop, the artists would sell their work. Couples strolling through the grass pausing to appreciate the color, scale and form of their pieces would often offer praise. Interestingly, I noticed the casual laid back style of each artist would change when their work was admired. They straightened, smiled and their disposition brightened. Life was good because someone saw the beauty in their creation…someone noticed the labor involved in the details. The artist was recognized in the art.
I am always amazed how a simple memory can be used by God to communicate an intimate truth. Nothing is outside the use of God. Oswald Chambers devotional is titled “Visions Becoming Reality.” The concept that I am a vision carefully created by God moment by moment is comforting. I am not a result of random circumstances. I am purposefully made experience by experience, not magically whole with the wave of a wand. Imagine the loss with the absence of the journey of our creation. No thank you! I prefer the road trip and every turn which helps to create in me the unique and one of a kind vision which is God’s.
I am by nature a creative person. Visions are for me an intimate part of my life. Whether I am studying God’s word, writing, directing or decorating a picture always forms in my mind and gives me something to work towards. Over time, the visions which I believe are placed by God come to fruition at an earthly standard. Though the vision of my whole self is not revealed to me, the faithfulness of my Creator will surely prevail if I remain pliable. I can be the heavenly vision the Lord desires me to become.
Chambers states “God gives us a vision, and then He takes us down to the valley to batter us into the shape of that vision. It is in the valley that so many of us give up and faint. Every God given vision will become real if we will only have patience.”
I pray we will trust the hands of our Creator and bring glory to His name when others pause to appreciate the work He has done in our lives and notice the Artist in the art.
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