Fashioned to Know Him
When my family and I lived in Jamaica as missionaries, my parents took us to Wassi Art. This was a pottery store located in Ocho Rios. On display were beautifully crafted bowls, cups, and platters. There were also delicately painted vases, uniquely designed by the Wassi artisans. I remember the vibrant colors of the sunset and palm trees, each one more beautiful than the other.
As we browsed the studio in the fascination of these clay vessels, we were instructed to, “Look, but don’t touch”. My parents were wise in knowing that four small children walking around breakables was a risky endeavor. The owner of the store was very kind and welcoming. I remember our family having an opportunity to see “behind the scenes” where the sculpting took place. I had never seen a potter’s wheel before. I watched as the clay took shape and form. With one gentle touch, the clay’s shape was transformed as the wheel spun in motion.
My siblings and I were given the opportunity to experience being “the potter”. We were handed a slab of clay and a cup of water. I remember putting my hands around the clay as the wheel started to spin and how the clay quickly took form. The outcome of this piece of art was completely under my control. As I pressed my thumbs into the center, the clay shaped into a bowl.
By listening to the tips and tricks that were given, the clay was transformed into a cute little bowl. I remember being so proud of what I had made! We were not able to paint our creations, but once they were dry, the workers glazed them and placed them in the kiln. When they were done, the bowls were so shiny and complete! Each one was identified by our initials engraved on the bottom.
As I think about the process of clay and the transformation that takes place in the potter’s hand, it makes me think about how each one of us are fashioned and formed by God. We are crafted and called His masterpiece. We are shaped and formed by His hands. Each person, is uniquely designed and fashioned, for a purpose.
Not only are our bodies fashioned by His hands, but we are also fashioned to know Him in our heart. We were created to know our Creator. The One who formed us in our mother’s womb is the one that our soul longs for!
We are fashioned to know Jesus intimately because we are intimately created for Him.
The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Do we know about Jesus, or do we know Jesus?”
There is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. When we know the Father, we then know the Son.
Because we are fashioned to know Jesus, we seek truth. I am reminded of an appointed time in the Bible when Jesus meets the woman at the well.
“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit.
Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”
The woman said, “I don’t know about that. I do know that the Messiah is come arrives, we’ll get the whole story.”
“I am He,” said Jesus. “You don’t have to wait any longer or look any further.”
It’s here in John 4:23-26 (MSG) where we clearly see that the Samaritan woman was fashioned to know Jesus, but only knew about Him. “The woman said, “I don’t know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we’ll get the whole story.”
But then Jesus revealed His true identity. This gave her knowledge and understanding that took her from knowing about to truly knowing. Jesus was the Messiah she was waiting for. Jesus conveyed something so powerful. He reminded the Samaritan woman that she was loved, fashioned, forgiven and free! Words of healing and grace spoke directly to her heart.
The God of the universe who formed her with His hands, gave her life, and then unveiled a revelation of Himself is the God we are fashioned to know. Jesus’s plan to meet her at Jacob’s well that day painted a picture of the why and who Jesus came to earth.
One moment encountering the presence of God can change our knowing about Him to knowing who Jesus is. There is hope in Jesus and knowing Him intimately makes us come alive!
This is the message of hope: Jesus, the precious Son of God, came to this earth for the sinner, the hurting, the broken, the stuck, and the lonely. He paid the ultimate price and died on the cross for our sins, so that we can KNOW Him, receive the gift of salvation, and be in right relationship with Him. We can live in our God-given identity and walk with power and authority from the Holy Spirit.
You are valuable and precious to Jesus. You are seen and known by Him. He knows every detail of your life. He knows your thoughts and intentions. He designed you in His image. He says you are His masterpiece. He says, “I have fashioned you and take joy in you.”
He delights and sings over you!
There is nothing like His presence. It’s in that place where we grow to know Him more. It’s in that place where we are continually molded and shaped by Him. It’s an ongoing fashioning and maturing process. When we pray and seek Jesus, our heart is transformed.
Just as the clay is shaped and formed in the potter’s hands, we too, are shaped and formed by God. Take those intentional moments of spending time with our Creator and Savior Jesus. This is where we recognize that not only are we fashioned by Him, but we are also fashioned to know Him.
