Clay and Hearts (Soft or Hard)

Just as a potter can only work with soft clay, God also desires soft hearts to create beautiful results.  The world in which we live measures us by education, abilities, social class, materialism, appearance, and other worldly comparisons.  God determines our value by the condition of the heart.  1 Samuel 16:7 says,  But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  A hardened heart is not receptive to instruction, discipline, humbleness, submission, etc. (see Hebrews 3:15).  A forty year lesson was experienced by God's people in the desert due to disobedience and hardened hearts.  God will still work on us in this condition because of His great love.....but ultimately, it is our choice-He wants a genuine relationship, a soft receptive heart......not one out of force/compulsion. Only with a soft heart can we be molded into the person He desires.  Just as clay is hardened by many factors-content or lack of water, our hearts can be hardened by sin, deception, gossip, negativity, pride, rebellion and others.  Looking to God and Jesus is the remedy.  Protect your heart/thoughts with prayer, study of the Word, worship, meditation.  Look at what the following passages tell us: Proverbs 4:23 -guard our hearts; Ephesians 5:21 -submit; Romans 12:3 -lose the pride; many others tell us to flee sin, repent and run to Jesus.  This can result in a more purer, Christ-like  soft heart that he wants to work with.....just like a potter and soft clay.  Blessings in your pursuit.......TO