Tuesday, June 27, 2006
1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
THE CRAFTSMAN
Sometimes when I get down to the end of a project, I'm just ready to be done. Maybe you know the feeling. What started with such good research and careful planning ends with a lot of epoxy and some duct tape. Or, it just finds it's way in the trash.
But thank the Father, our Craftsman, that this was not the case with us. When you and I were born into this world withered, dirtied, and faded with sin, God the craftsman was ready. For in His foreknowledge He had already chosen you and me for restoration. It was not into the trash, but back on the workbench for us.
In high school art class I made a mug out of clay. Worked the clay, turned the mug on the wheel, even attached a handle to my project. Then, when it was all dried out and ready for the kiln, I dropped it on the floor.
How frustrating. All that work and now it's ruined. When the class bell rang I resigned my project to the junk bucket.
But the next day on my desk, there it was sitting. The pieces were all in place, delicately restored by my art teacher, who was a far greater craftsman than myself. What I had given up on, He had saved. What I had thrown away, he had lovingly and carefully put back together. And now it was mine again.
That was us. We were broken and in the junk pile. But God the Father in His great mercy took us back and made us whole in through Jesus Christ.
