"Mold Us and Fashion Us"

This past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, a time of preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus. How can we prepare our hearts?

As we have discussed in many of the prior blog posts, we can commit ourselves to doing what is right and just. We can work harder to be less focused on our own needs, and more attuned and responsive to the needs of others. We can examine and reflect on the people and other God-given gifts that make us happy, and cultivate joy and gratitude unto the Lord. We can, in so doing, abound in great, pure love for God, others, and the self.

The Second Reading reflected this theme in a very meaningful way. I just loved it and found that it really spoke to me. Here is a reminder of the lovely words from 1 Thessalonians 3: 12-13:

"May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

Not only do I greatly appreciate and agree with our need to purify our hearts and cultivate greater love, but I am glad for the reminder that we cannot do this on our own. Rather, we need God to help us along the way!

This is true for any situation or challenge in life. We are never alone. We are always being carried on the back of the Lord. It is God who gives us the grace and strength to get through difficult times and to accomplish great things. It is God who lights our path, wherever it may lead.

Let us commit ourselves to being humble, recognizing our extreme need for God's help and direction, and praising Him for all that He gives to us!

The song we sang for the Offertory this past Sunday, Abba Father, reflected this concept. Here are the lyrics:

Abba
Abba, Father
You are the potter
We are the clay
The work of Your hands

Mold us
Mold us and fashion us
Into the image
Of Jesus, Your Son

Father
May we be one in You
May we be one in You
As He is in You
And You are in Him

Glory
Glory and praise to You
Glory and praise to You
Forever, Amen
Forever, Amen


I really enjoy this beautiful ballad! I particularly enjoy the symbolic image of us as the clay that can only be molded by God, the potter.

Take a moment and think of modelling clay. It can be twisted and turned and shaped into any one of an endless range of beautiful things. However, it can't do this on its own. On its own, clay is static. It is in need of a skillful artist to form it into something greater. We indeed need God to help us realize our potential and become the best people we can be!

To recognize our all-encompassing need for God, and to surrender unto Him our ultimate faith and trust may not always be easy, but just remember, God loves us! He wants what is best for us and the world around us, and He will never leave us. He is always there to help, support, and guide us, and even if we get knocked down once in a while, like a piece of clay that has been flattened, He is always there to build us back up again.

May the Lord bless you, today and always!

Karen