SHAPED BY THE FATHER
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
Yet You, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; We are all the work of Your hand.
Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
Have you ever felt like you didn’t fit in, like you didn’t have a place, or maybe unsure about your purpose in life? One of the central ways God helps us find our place is through our parents. Mom and Dad were meant to help us find our way. They were meant to partner with God in shaping us into the people He had in mind when He dreamed us up.
Some of us received great direction from our parents. Others of us, not so much. But no matter how well or poorly your mom and dad guided you, you have a God who created you in such a unique way that you have a unique purpose that only you can fill. He wants to shape you and mold you into something beautiful. The Father’s hand is on you.
You may not know who you are or why you’re here, but God does! Or you may have some idea and want to keep changing and growing. The good news is that you don’t need to figure life out on your own. God is the One who made you and knows you inside and out. You are the work of the Master’s hand, and just as a mother and father help a child become who God created them to be, God wants to Father you in this way, too. He is the Master Artist, and you are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10).
APPLICATION: As the clay needs to be soft in the potter's hands, we also need to be open, humble and surrendered to the Father's hands. Ask God what steps He wants you to take as He shapes and molds you, then listen and follow His Fatherly guidance.
PRAYER: Thank You, God, for making me unique and beautiful. As my loving Father, I ask You to continue shaping me into the person You had in mind when You made me. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?