Shaped by God

Objects: Balloons for making animals. (I was fortunate to have a professional clown in my church. I had her make some really neat balloon animals before I did my part. This sermon could also be done using clay or play dough.)

Theme: God shapes us into what he wants us to be

Scripture: Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand. Jeremiah 18:6

How many of you have ever seen someone who could take balloons and shape them into different kinds of animals? I was watching Sassy the clown do that the other day and I thought, "I'll bet I can do that." I think I'll try it. (Take out a balloon and blow it up, then go through some gyrations as if you were trying to make it into the shape of an animal.) Oh look, I've made a snake. That is pretty good, isn't it! I think I'll try another one. (Blow up another balloon and go through the same process again.) Hey, look, I've made a worm. Well, maybe this isn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. Maybe Sassy the clown knew a lot more about it than I do.

This reminds me of the way God works in my life. If I will let Him, God can take my life and shape it into whatever He wants me to be. But every time I try to do it myself, I turn out to be a snake or a worm. What I need to do is just put myself in God's hands and let Him shape me into what He wants me to be.

Dear Lord, every time I try to take control of my life, I wind up as a snake or a worm. Help me to let you to make me into what you want me to be. Amen.