The Messy Art of Being Transformed

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Romans 9:20

Spiritual transformation is circular, unpredictable, and sometimes feels like we’re falling backwards. 

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Life isn’t easy. Neither is spiritual transformation. Like clay whirling on the potter’s wheel, it’s messy. Dirty water. Lumpy clay. Drippy hands. Sometimes the clay slumps, and the potter catches and reshapes it. Sometimes shaping the vessel takes more time than imagined. The potter demonstrates that spiritual transformation is never clean or clear-cut. Spiritual formation is not a linear, straight or rigid process. It’s messy, always.

The reforming process is not linear or sequential in order. It’s more of an art form than an exact science. We can’t predict or control everything that will happen. This is why we need to press beyond our minds and rational thinking to envision spiritual formation as a process of being shaped and reshaped throughout our lives. Artwork in progress if you will.

We would really love how-to steps that manage our lives and lead us neatly out of our troubles. But when we get fired, the doctor diagnoses cancer, a child uses drugs, a marriage fails, or we’re stuck in an addiction, lists and steps can fail us and our faith. Consequently, we need to accept that spiritual transformation is circular, unpredictable, and sometimes feels like we’re falling backwards instead of stepping forward. It can feel like a mess, but God the Potter holds us.

No potter works with clean hands. He touches the messy clay, ridding the impurities and reforming its shape. It is the same way when God works in us. We bring a messy life—our impure clay—to the transformation process. The Potter works in the mess with soiled hands oozing with wet, soft clay.  

Could it be that the Potter thrives on the chaos of the whirling wheel? Could it be that He loves messes? The Potter places His hands on slumping clay and turns it into a masterpiece. We bring the trouble. The Potter works the transformation.

For Reflection: Consider that the Potter may love messes. What would it look like for you to accept your mess? Allow yourself to feel His love for you, for your messes.