"The Potter's Clay"

"Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the Potter's clay: For shall the work say of Him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of Him that framed it, He had no understanding?" (Isaiah 29:16) Ouch! But this hurts Lord! You've heard the expression, "No Pain, No Gain"; well, unfortunately, that might be closer to reality than we might want. Sometimes there must be a little pain applied to our lives, just to get our attention. And sometimes, that pain may feel unbearable; but, God has a plan which surpasses our basic needs or wants; we just need to trust that He knows best. And not only what is best for ourselves, but what is best for His Church. This, I believe is the thing which we so easily forget; that we are not in this fight by ourselves; but that we are part of a Body. Sometimes, the working of making one part of the Body stronger, may, for a moment make another part of the Body hurt. This is not a bad thing, but is rather meant for the good of all. For those that are being sifted, this may seem unjust; but when they come to realize why, they are not only more useful for His Kingdom, but they are also more aware of how much He understands their real needs. The main reason for this, is that we do not easily see our own needs; instead, we are quick to see the flaws or sin in others, while not paying attention to our own. In other words; we have a tendency to look the other way at our own short comings, while we focus our attention on the short comings of others. This might make us feel better about ourselves, but it is only for a season; because in the long run, we are all the same Body. And if we accept the fact that what happens to our foot, will not effect our back, we are going to be in for a big surprise, or disappointment; depending on how much we put our focus in the wrong place. Put it this way: What happens to one part of the Body, will effect the other parts, in one way or the other. It may be something less noticeable, but, when we are focused upon the wrong things, such as the flaws of others, we are in some degree or another, tearing down ourselves; Why? Because we are the same Body!!! We can only take so much abuse to one portion of our body, before the rest of the body feels the pain also. This is why it is so very important to remember that we are all One Body; and although God is working on us individually, He is also working on us all, as One... "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: And if it First begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a Faithful Creator." (1 Peter 4:16-19)