The Process Before the Product!
he Process Before the Product by LaKisha M. Johnson
Isaiah 64: 8, “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
My senior year in high school, I needed to take an elective. It needed to be an art elective. I attended an arts magnet school. I decided to sign up for a pottery class, it seemed easy enough and the time fit well into my schedule. The first few weeks of my class we spent being introduced to the “clay”. I thought this was so dumb, why would we spend all these weeks on just the clay itself. It wasn’t until one day we were in class, and she began to explain and demonstrate the impact that air bubbles, trash and moisture have on your final product. She said if you don’t spend the correct amount of time on “this” process with the clay, your final product will be flawed or worse damaged.
We experience this same process with God, He is the potter we are the clay, he has to have time to process us out so that we look like how “He” uniquely designed us. Some of us need a little more time wedging or going through the “kneed” (both processes for getting out bubbles and trash). Some of us have to go back in the bag so that we have a little bit more moisture so that we are able to withstand life processes, and not break a part. Whatever our process is, it so that our minds can be renewed (Romans 12:2) and we can function like Christ. The process is necessary for the final product.
A few weeks ago I was in my mom’s office and I looked over on her shelf and notice that she had a small vase that I made and besides being dusty, it was in great condition. I smiled at it. This morning as I was meditating on the word, the Holy Spirit spoke and said, “It lasted this long because of the time you took with the clay, it was able to go through the fire and withstand the heat because you took your time in the process”. I thanked the Lord for my personal process, for my journey, even for the things that I don’t understand.
Prayer: Father thank you for the process. You are the potter we are the clay, we don’t understand all that happens in our lives, but ultimately we know you are working them for our good. Thank you for uniquely designing us for your use, for your ultimate glory. Continue to do a good work in us, so we can do a good work or you. In Jesus Name. Amen
LaKisha M. Johnson is mom, author, motivational speaker, minister and teacher. She is the host of Coffee and Conversations on “facebook live” Monday-Friday at 5:00 am central standard time and Sundays at 7:00 am central standard time. She hosts a pajama party for women, “Pillow Talk” several times throughout the year, walking them through God inspired truths, while providing a place of vulnerability and transparency to talk. To find out more information on her log on to lakishamjohnson.com and follow her on social media @justbeinglmj.