The Potter and the Clay: Finding Contentment in Singleness
When I was single at thirty, I battled the lie that God somehow forgot me. I often felt invisible because no one seemed interested or wanted to pursue me. I would remind myself of God's promises, and work hard to keep Him as my first love because the idol of marriage would often try and creep in.
However, despite those things, the enemy loved to tell me that I was someone people looked past; that I wasn't chosen. Refinement is something we have sung about in worship songs for decades. We have raised our hands and asked God to refine, purify, and test us- as we should!
Being single and 30+ brings a lot of questions from people..."Do you feel called to singleness?" or "Are you really picky?" The questions tempted me to see my season of being single as punishment rather than preparation.
In Isaiah 64:8 we learn that the Father molds us and shapes us: "But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand" (ESV). In the hands of the Father, we can find ourselves in seasons of trials, challenges, beauty, hardship, joy, etc., but we can trust that through it all because we are held in the Potter's hands, He will shape us to become the women of He has destined us to be. Isaiah 45:9 warns us that we are not to challenge the Potter because we are just the pot: “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?" (ESV)
I don't know about you, but I have challenged the Potter many times, especially in my season of singleness. But in His kindness, God revealed a part of His heart, and it gave me so much hope. I pray it does the same for you!
When you make pottery, it's recommended you leave it to dry for up to three weeks. The pot is not forgotten, rather the drying is needed to remove as much water as possible for the piece before it's fired so that it can be strong and handle the heat.
My sister, perhaps this season is to prepare you, protect you, bring out your beauty, and so much more. Take heart that the Potter will never forget you!
Meet the Author
Allicia Bankuti
Allicia Bankuti lives in Westport, Ontario and has been serving full-time with an inner healing ministry for 12 years. After walking a journey of healing and restoration in her own life, Allicia realized she was dissatisfied with what the world had to offer and gave up her dream of being in advertising to pursue God full time in ministry. Allicia’s heart is to see people of all ages passionately run after God and to see His love and healing reach a broken world. When she isn’t teaching or ministering, Allicia can be found watching cheesy Hallmark films (seriously, the cheesier the better), photographing weddings or on a basketball court with her wonderful boyfriend and his two amazing boys.
