Will the Coronavirus threat make us a more humble and loving people or will it bring out the worst in us? If the “Did you cough at me?” episode that occurred on a Sydney train is any indication, then it’s scary to think of where our unbridled responses to one another in the face of danger could eventually lead. How might I have responded if…when, perhaps,…I find myself in a similar situation?
A gentle response could make all the difference. But is that too much to ask?
A key to breakthrough creativity is gentleness–giving in to what is in essence already there. Gentleness is allowing the hands of the Master Potter to bring out of the clay of humanity, the real essence or the unique defining character and characteristic of what is inherently embedded in the clay-ness of clay.
As creative beings we understand, even though we may or may not agree, the creator’s prerogative or right to create the way he or she thinks is best; to make, to discard, to destroy, and to rebuild in accord with one’s preferences. The clay is ultimately subject to the will of the creator. And so are we in the hands God.
As clay therefore what we can do is to rely on the hands that mould us and our circumstances; to trust God to do the right thing. To resist the hand of God is like clay that is losing its clay-ness, becoming hard, and very soon unfit for use. The cracking of the clay due to a lack of moisture is like the terse reaction to hardship and provocation–get louder when spoken to loudly, get ruder when spoken to rudely, at all costs, get even. For me, this is unfortunately the case mostly, and especially when I react to being provoked by the peril of my circumstance rather than the promise of God.
He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
philippians 2:8, the bible (new living translation)
It’s like this: I have my face stuck to the cliff wall for fear of looking down or anywhere else, failing to see the rock of refuge on the way. How could I have missed it? I was too absorbed with trying to find a way out of my peril relying on my own resources, rather than trust in the promise–of God.
Gentleness humbles itself before the ultimate authority of God the Creator and thereby experiences God as deliverer. God loves all of us in the same way. Christ proved that by his gentle acceptance of the punishment meted out to him on behalf of all people — “he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
In such a time as this we must not give in to our base desires to attack and dehumanise one another. Rather, let us humble ourselves and pray in such a way that indeed we might put our hope in God and trust God to deliver us–all humanity–from the virus of our hate and discord with one another. Let’s ponder and meditate on these things as we create.
scripture for meditation
When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?
romans 9:21, the bible (New living translation)
prayer
lord jesus, have mercy on us your people, created by your hand. we have forgotten…we are scared and are driven more by our fear and desperation rather than the promise of rest and provision in you. please forgive us. as we create–our art, and thereby a better world, a world that you have envisioned–we humble ourselves before you and ask for a spirit of gentleness; a gentleness that is evidence of wholehearted trust in you and not on our own strength; a gentleness that comes as a response to your love extended toward all people, everywhere, through your promise that is fulfilled once and for all time through your sacrifice on the cross. you have taken upon yourself every word of hatred and anger that we have spoken with our lips and every bitterness and jealousy that we harbour in our hearts toward one another in our religious perversions of your true grace and love in christ. forgive us, have mercy on us, save us o god. save us dear lord. in jesus’ name. amen.
Sculpture by HM
