Being Molded by Jesus

This may sound like a silly question, but I’m going to ask it anyway. “Have you ever struggled in your life?” Of course you have –- we all have, and most likely still do at times.

However, do you struggle more, or less, than you did in the past? This is a most important question because, depending on your answer, you will see whether or not you are being molded by Jesus.

Lately I’ve been thinking of the song where we sing “make me, mold me.”  I couldn’t help thinking how many times I’ve sung that song, then gone away not giving it another thought. But you know what? God heard that plea! He has spent years molding me, line upon line precept upon precept, into His likeness. I know better than anyone how much work still needs to be done, but I rejoice when I look back over the path He has lead me over these many years.

One thing I learned along the way was that I couldn’t be molded until I gave Him my permission. However, even if my flesh was rebelling, so long as my heart could say ‘’YES”, the metamorphosis began. Albeit slowly, the journey of dying to self began. I had to die, so He might live (through me).

It took me a long time to come to this place. I was a young mother with two little ones when the Lord saved me and filled me with the Holy Spirit. I had grown up virtually as an only child -– my siblings were all much older than myself. I was thoroughly spoiled, and very selfish. I always, well almost always, got my own way –- until I got married that is! My husband wasn’t someone I could control, especially after he gave his heart to Jesus. He didn’t, in fact wouldn’t, get angry with me, he didn’t lash out at me and he, more often than not, didn’t even say anything -- (how annoying – I couldn’t raise an argument!). He could, and still can, just look at me –- I’d get the message! Over the years my temper, praise God, has mellowed! (note the words ‘over the years’). I don’t yell any more, neither do I get majorly upset.

It took me a long time to submit to my husband with my heart, as well as my deeds. But when I got it right, there wasn’t a problem with submission. It’s no different with God. When we submit to Him, with a loving heart, the molding process can truly begin.

When he was saved, my husband who had hardly ever read a book in his life, spent every spare moment reading his Bible, and stayed up into the wee small hours talking to Jesus. His life was a complete turn around, and a few months down the track he came up with some ‘weird and wacky’ ideas. He actually wanted us to trust the Lord, not just for our salvation but for everything! It took me a while to get my mind around that one.

First of all we got rid of all our insurance policies -– Psalm 91 was assurance enough for us; plus the idea was rather appealing as my husband was going to use the money to buy me a new washing machine and dryer, plus curtains for our living room. He did.

Some time later, he suggested we throw caution to the wind and allow God to send us babies as and when He willed. No way!! We already had three by this time, and another on the way. I admit I did eventually consider this option, but still took a pill prescription after our new baby arrived. It was funny though -– I simply couldn’t bring myself to take them. In my heart I knew my husband was right, so I chose to submit -- God’s molding in progress.

When He laid it on our hearts to sell our house, give up everything and go to America, it was easy to say yes. It was exciting, a challenge! Yet, when fellow Christians gave us no support at all and thought we were crazy, I began to have second thoughts. I discovered how important it is to keep the doubters out, when I know God has spoken. The enemy of our souls does not want God’s plans carried out. I finally got over that hurdle, and we went anyway. It’s all glory to God how we got there –- miracle after miracle along the way. I learned that God could be trusted, even if it came down to the last minute. In later years, I learned He could still be trusted even beyond the last minute. We didn’t have to run elsewhere. He is true to His promises, and He doesn’t ask something of us that He won’t fulfill.

When the Lord changed our plans to return to New Zealand, and sent us to New South Wales instead, it was yet another exciting challenge; especially when we realized the thousands of dollars we’d taken to the States had diminished and when we cashed what remained, we were left with fifty Australian dollars. The challenge became a little less exciting, but I can honestly say we weren’t worried. We knew God was with us, and would provide one way or another. He had delivered us many times over our short walk of trust in Him. He had healed us when we were sick; He provided money when we needed it; He even kept us (and everyone else) on the plane when it fell several hundred feet out of the sky! Surely he would look after us now –- and He did.

Farther down the track, God tested us further. He didn’t always provide things when we needed them. We would have to wait. That was hard. It took me a very long time to cope with these scenarios. I learned that He does come through, but in His own time. He doesn’t always work to our timetable. I think this has been the biggest ongoing challenge in my life. James 3:2-3 says “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience [literally endurance]” (NKJV).

God doesn’t send a test or trial our way unless He knows we have it in us to pass. It is entirely our choice whether we endure or not. It is hard. It is never easy. But His grace is there. Even if we have to cry out every minute of the day, His grace is sufficient to carry us through. Enduring a trial sent by God only makes our faith grow stronger.

We are molded, according to our choice.

Dear Sisters -– do you realize that trials and tribulation are a precious gift from our loving Heavenly Father? Sadly we live in a secular society based on fun and good times. Everything is laid out for us by worldly bodies -– if we need money, we rush to the bank. If we need healing, we rush to the doctor. If we need food, we rush to the food bank -– and on it goes. The world today doesn’t need God –- it’s all at their feet. But at what cost!

I’d like to mention one more thing, and that is looking to the Lord for our daily timetable. I don’t even want to think of the hours I have wasted over the years, and still do, because I follow my own desires for the day. This is an area God is working on me right now –- to let Him order my day. I have to admit it’s a learning curve, not something I’m catching on to quickly! It’s too easy to get caught up not only in my own program, but in things that others plan for me. Or indeed other things I think I need to be involved in because it would look bad if I didn’t! I am learning that God can’t bless a good work that is done in the flesh.

Let me encourage you to submit to the molding process. I can’t tell you it’s an easy path because it isn’t. All I can say is that I’ve been down it many times –- sometimes I’ve rebelled and had to go down the same track again, and again, and again! Believe me, it’s better to accept the Potter’s hand the first time!

Romans 9:20-21 show that we are all on the Potter's wheel. Some being molded to honor, some to dishonor.

It is my prayer that we all make the right choice in allowing the Potter to mould us into His likeness, and that His grace will abound as we seek to know and do His will each and every day.

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© Margaret Hartnett