I work with wood and I teach students. Students brainstorm about our topic. We look at resources, what they can be used for. We look at its strength and durability and what we can do to it in order to make it become more fit for purpose.

Currently we are using layers of thin plywood gluing them together and while they’re wet placing them into a mould. Under pressure the sheets conform to the image or shape of the mould.

It is like that with us. God, our creator and builder, allows us to come under pressure within our lives. The pressure is transforming us; like coal into a diamond. We are being manipulated to become the same as our mould; Jesus Christ our Saviour and God.

So I ask my students when they say something is too hard for them or they can’t do something: Can you walk? Could you walk the first time you tried? How did you succeed? It isn’t easy, but sometimes you only succeed by repeatedly attempting things until you master it.

It can be like that with our transformation into Christ’s likeness also.

I am reminded of Isaiah 64:8“But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Dave Bryant wrote:

Jesus take me as I am, I can come no other way,

Take me deeper into You, Make my flesh life melt away.

 Make me like a precious stone,

Crystal clear and finely honed,

 Life of Jesus shining through,

Giving glory back to You.

 

We may like a comfortable life; however, we grow best when we are under a bit of pressure.

Contributed by Eric Harrison