June 20: The Brush of Refinement

Arlene Johnson
Kings Seventh-day Adventist Chucrh

Theme: God is Shaping You Daily

Scripture:

"Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."

— Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)

Growing up, I dreamed of becoming an educator. Education has always been my passion, and I worked tirelessly to earn my first degree. But a few months before graduation, my dad became ill and was admitted to the hospital. I now had to go to work, then from work to the hospital, and then to university for classes, and back to the hospital, take public transportation from Kingston to Spanish Town( that is approximately 10.5 miles). This I did daily. This took a toll on me, and soon I became overwhelmed, my grades dropped, and my assignments were overdue- it was too much. I decided to sit out the remaining classes.

I was devastated. I felt like my dreams were crushed.

Yet even in my disappointment and devastation, God was working. My batchmates realized that I was not attending classes as often, and they reached out to the coordinator, Mr. Holt. He called me and advised me to take some weeks off ( since I was nearing the end of the program), finish the overdue assignments, and submit them before the graduation date. That I did.

I am not just teaching now- I am transforming lives. God did it!

Isaiah 64:8 reminds us that we are clay, not finished products. God shapes us not just for our dreams but for His glory. Detours, delays, and even heartbreaks are often the brush of refinement, preparing us for work we could have never imagined.

Life Lessons:

God often refines us by redirecting our paths when our plans fall apart.

True fulfillment comes from walking in God’s purpose, not just chasing personal goals.

Every setback in God's hands is a setup for something greater.

Reflection:

Are there dreams you’ve seen delayed or denied? Could God be reshaping your purpose in ways you can’t yet see? Trust that His hands are still on you, molding you into something more beautiful than you ever planned.

Prayer:

Father, thank You that You are the Potter and I am Your clay. When life doesn’t go as planned, help me trust that You are refining and shaping me for Your perfect purpose. I surrender my dreams to You and ask You to mold my heart to match Your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.