In prayer one morning, I saw a piece of pottery (a vase) sitting on a work table. It sat under the sunlight coming through an open window. I could feel the warmth of the air and understood that the vase was drying.
I looked up how pottery is dried. One potter said something that has stuck with me. As the moisture evaporates from the pottery, it closes all the pores, making it strong and usable. In order to prevent cracking in the drying process, the moisture has to evaporate evenly. If one part dries before another, the whole structure is compromised.
This picture comes to mind as I think about Jesus dwelling among us. All his glory came in the most finite, most likely to self-destruct, most decaying vessel we know of—flesh—but he didn’t break. Jesus was without blemish, without compromise. With every word, every care, every action, every moment, he steadily remained in the light, in the will of the Father until it was time to be broken. Not broken by sin or self or hastiness, but he was broken for us—to heal our brokenness. Why? So we can commune with him—-now and forever.
As we set our hearts on your coming Jesus and your coming again, we sit before you and gaze on the perfect example of being steadfast, of remaining in the Father. We let go of ourselves so we can close in together with you. Glorious!
Brave Sparrow 