Trapped by the Sovereignty of God?

Have you ever felt trapped by the sovereignty of God? God is the Potter who has placed you onto his sculpting table. He pounds on you. He pushes at you. He rolls you under his strong hands, preparing you for some unknown work that he has for you to do.

You are softened by experiences, broken beyond the ability to harden yourself against him. He places your life on the turn table, and the world spins. Confusion reigns as left becomes right, up becomes down, and you pray for your world to stop spinning out of control.

Then, you are placed into a box. A kiln, actually. There are others in here with you. You are going to go through this together. Perhaps your group is your family, perhaps your group is comprised of co-workers; no matter, the lid is closed. You are trapped. God's hand has locked you in.

And the fire is turned up.

You want to escape, but you can't. You can't go forward. You can't go back. You're stuck, and you know it. And it's dark; there's no light at all. "Why?" you cry out. But there is no answer.

You are trapped by the sovereignty of God.

Eventually, the door will open. You will be taken out. You will be usable, perhaps beautiful with sparkling, glazed colors - the Potter's masterpiece.

Observation: While this is true in many circumstances, there are many times where we are trapped in kilns of our own making. We lack the creativity and courage to get ourselves out. Perhaps the lesson we are to learn is not one of endurance, perhaps it is that we need to take ownership of our lives, and get ourselves out.

God is our Father. He wants us to grow up into strong, whole human beings who shine forth the strength of the Lord and the wisdom of Christ. But if we never do anything but sit and wait to be rescued, are we really becoming more Christlike? Dependence is one thing, but helplessness is something else altogether. You were made to be free.

So rock yourself a little bit. Get yourself over against the wall of your kiln. Maybe work with some other pots to form a pyramid, and get yourselves up near the lid. Bang for help. Push, shove, and lift. Exert yourself and pray to God for strength and courage and wisdom.

If you really want it, I think that God will help you. Your lid will open, and you'll come forth shining. Maybe not as a pot, but as a son.


I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Have you ever experienced being trapped?