Recently I returned from an eight-day motor coach trip to Philadelphia, New York City, and various points in between. One of the stops was at the Corning Glass Factory Museum located in Jamestown, New York. The museum housed a large number of artistic pieces made of glass from throughout the world. Many of these would be described as works of art. I discovered that molten glass is indeed an art medium producing beautiful three-dimensional creations for the eye to behold.

     While there our group had the opportunity to watch a talented glass blower create beautiful footed vases and colorful pitchers as we watched a glob of molten glass formed into a work of art before our eyes.

     While watching the glass blower at work, I found myself relating to that glob of molten glass. Sand is the main ingredient found in glass and when heated to a high degree it turns into a glob of glass waiting to be used by a talented and skilled glass blower or craftsperson. In God’s eyes, I, too, am a glob of material that God desires to mold into an individual who is willing to serve as one of His disciples. During the demonstration the glass artist added chemicals to the molten glass to give it color and pattern. In the same manner God does the same, by allowing life experiences to color my being, my personality, and my character. He does the same in your life.

     The glass artist did not create the beautiful pieces of clown glass instantly. It took time to create the masterpiece. God does not create the total me instantly but allows time to have an impact on my development. The same is true for you. Keep in mind that God is not finished with me yet or with you. We continue to be molded through our earthly journey.

     As the need arose, the craftsman returned the glob of glass back into the furnace to refine it and help it to remain in a lava-like state so that it could continue to be molded.  God is like that in our lives as well. At times He puts us in situations that will help refine us and make us a better person, a better disciple for Him. It may be a serious illness, a dramatic change in lifestyle, or some other unexpected event. God can use those events to make us better, more beautiful people. He uses those events to mold us into more effective disciples.

     At the end of the demonstration one person in the audience was singled out and given one of the glass blowers creations as a free gift. As you would imagine, the recipient graciously accepted the gift and great care was immediately taken to protect it from breakage. Immediately, those recipients went to the gift shop to have their work of art prepared for the long motor coach trip home that would soon begin. The artistic piece was wrapped in layers and layers of paper and placed in its own special carrying bag. The recipient carried the package carefully making sure that it did not make contact with an immovable object.

     God, too, wraps us, His special creations, not in layers of paper but in His love. A love that continually reminds us that He will care, guide, and protect us as we endeavor to minister to others as one of His disciples.

     Allow me to share with you the words of an old hymn with slight variations.

                                    Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

                                         Thou are the crafter, I am the glass.

                                    Mold me and make me after Thy will.

                                      While I am waiting, yielded and still.

God’s Blessings to you all, Pastor Walt