Good Morning Sunshine! You Are A Masterpiece Made In Secret, By The MASTER Himself! 

Isaiah 64:8 ~ “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” 

I know we talked about the photographer in the darkroom on yesterday, but there is more to this story; and you will understand it better by and by! Here in a dark quiet confined darkroom, a photographer starts the process off with a blank piece of paper that will be used to develop His captured image on. That blank piece of photo paper goes through many stages before you can actually tell what the picture is! First things first, it has to be submerged in a shallow tray of solution. 

To an untrained eye, it may seem like nothing is happening, because the process is slow and tedious. Yet, in the faint glow of the red light, the photographer knows that the picture is being formed. The shadows and light begin to emerge, it’s blurry at first but slowly it becomes clearer. The paper is delicately moved through a sequence of chemicals, each step drawing out more of the image’s detail. Any rushing or carelessness could ruin the photograph entirely, but the photographer waits patiently. It’s in that isolated darkroom, that the Master brings the masterpiece to the light! 

Just as the photographer has raw material so does the potter! In these quiet, unseen places, God does His most profound work! Let’s look at the Potter, he’s in small studio filled with the earthy scent of wet clay, as he sits at his wheel. His hands press firmly yet gently into the clay, shaping it with each turn of the wheel. The clay, rough and unyielding at first, and it seems to resist the potter’s touch, but he remains patient, coaxing it into shape; water splashes and bits of clay fling off as the wheel spins faster, making the process seem even more messy and chaotic. 

Yet, the potter never loses his focus. He sees what the clay cannot, a masterpiece waiting to emerge! He reshapes all of the imperfections and smooths out all of the rough edges with care. When the form is complete, he places the vessel in the kiln. The intense heat feels like too much to bear, but the fire is necessary, it strengthens the clay and brings out its beauty. Without it, the vessel would remain fragile and incomplete, never fulfilling its purpose of becoming a masterpiece! 

So, are you trying to see what the photographer and the potter have in common. Let me tell you! They both reveal the same truth; it happens within the Process! Transformation is a process! It requires pressure, heat, patience, waiting, and trust. The stages may seem messy and chaotic at times, and sometimes it may seem like the process is never going to end! The photographer is in the darkroom and cannot let any light in and the potter has placed his work on a in the hot Kiln and he can’t stop it or turn it off, it’s got to go through the process! This is the essential part of becoming! For in the end, the vessel and the photograph remind us that the Master sees the final masterpiece long before you can. You have to trust that in the Master’s Hands, He knows how to transform you into a masterpiece and ready for use! 

Both the potter and the photographer teach us the same truth, transformation takes time, and the most beautiful creations requires the most patience and trust, and the process often feels very difficult. But be assured that the Master’s Hands are at work even when you can’t see the masterpiece. He knew you, before you were even formed, He knows what the finish product will look like! You are fearfully and wonderfully made, Psalm 139:14!

Both of these processes involve an unseen, intimate space where transformation can happen, and it will be out of the view of others! God’s work in your life will happen in secret, far away from the spotlight! (So, stop looking for a stage or spotlight to be on you, there isn’t one in this place!) God is working on you in your hidden place, through your trials, challenges, relationships, ministries, solitude, and reflection. These are the moments where He refines your character, teaching you to trust in His timing. It’s in the spaces that are closest to you that God is closest to you, loving you and shaping the details of your life. “You knit me together in my mother’s womb… my frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place” (Psalm 139:13, 15)! It’s in this space where God is lovingly shaping the details of your life. Nobody else can do you like the Lord! 

The clay and the photograph don’t always understand what the Potter and the Photographer are doing, but the vessel and the photo doesn’t have any other choice but to trust the Maker! They have a trust the hands that hold it. (You have to trust the Hands of God, for He is your creator, from beginning to end and all things in the middle! There is nothing about you that God doesn’t know! So, you may not understand why God allows certain circumstances in your life, but you can trust that His plan is perfect and His work in you is good! 

Today you need to know that you are being refined in the hidden place! God is increasing your resilience and endurance through the heat! For without the fire and shadows, your faith and character might remain incomplete. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Be intentional and patient with yourself and God! (You are right where God wants you!) You see the potter doesn’t rush the clay, nor does the photographer skip steps in developing the photograph. They know that good work takes time and effort. Likewise, God’s work in you is patiently shaping and refining you to reflect His Image and Glory. 

Just know this even when the process seems like it’s taking too long or going too slow, don’t worry, you can trust His timing and purpose. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). Both the potter and the photographer reveal God’s deep love and care for you as His own child. This is to remind you that while transformation may involve difficulty, discomfort, and waiting, you are in the Hands of the Master who saw the beauty and purpose in His masterpiece, “You” long before you are brought out of hiding! 

Let’s Pray:

Thank You Father! Thank You! You are the Master Creator, the One who lovingly shapes and forms me in ways that I may not always understand. Father, Thank You for seeing the potential in me even when I could not see it in myself. Teach me to yield to Your hands, trusting that every push, pull, and smoothing stroke has a purpose. And when I face the heat of trials or the darkness of waiting, remind me that You are not finished with me yet. Father, help me to have patience for Your process and faith to know that You are working all things out together for my good and Your glory. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Father, help me to trust the secret places where You are refining my heart, teaching me humility and dependence on You! Father, strengthen me when I feel fragile, and give me hope when I feel broken, knowing that even in the hardest moments, Your plans are good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Father, mold me into a vessel that can carry Your Anointing and Presence! Father, refine me until I reflect Your light to a world that needs You. May my life be a living testament to Your creativity, Grace, and Power. Father, I surrender to You, and I am confident that You see the masterpiece You are forming on the inside of me for such a time as this! For everything is done in Your timing, (Ecclesiastes 3:11!) in Jesus Christ Name. Amen! 

Blessings…

Love, Minister Jean