Just a Clay Pot

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”- Philippians 4:13

Some of you are following my health journey that began during the coronavirus quarantine. It has been 5.5 months now, and I am thrilled to report that I have lost a total of 51.2 pounds and 33.5 inches overall. That is so amazing to me! I have battling with my weight since I was a teenager, and frankly, I have never had success like I have had on this health journey! It is phenomenal!

My journey began this year on May 1st, and the last few months have been life-changing for me in several ways. First, my physical health has greatly improved. My lab values from my physical in August were all within normal limits for the first time in forever! I have less knee and hip pain, and I have more energy than I thought possible. As I have remodeled my eating habits, my overall well-being has been enriched by the healthy practices I have incorporated into my lifestyle.

In addition to the physical benefits, my spiritual life has grown as well. I have spent more quality time with the Lord. My devotional time has been more focused, and my prayer time has been more intimate. As I take time to really listen to God through His Word, I am gaining so much more from my personal Bible reading time.

When I reflect on my health journey, I often return to my “whys,” that is the reasons for which I chose to embark on this venture. There are multiple reasons, but two very important ones constantly remain in the forefront of my mind. First, I want to be an active part of the lives of my three grandchildren. Perhaps one day, I’ll even be a great-grandmother! 2 Timothy 1:5 states, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” I want to be to my grandchildren what Lois was to Timothy, which leads to my next “why.”

I want to be the best me I can be spiritually. I want to have a deep, abiding relationship with my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For me, to know Him means to make time to read His Word, listen to what He has to say to me through it, and communicate with Him on an on-going basis. I want Him to be first in my life in all areas… my writing, my health journey, my entire life! The Bible tells me, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” (Colossians 3:23). Putting Him first is not always easy for me; sometimes my humanity gets in the way. My health journey is helping me remember to put God first.

So, what have I learned? Perhaps the greatest lesson for me has been that I REALLY CAN do all things through Christ. When I choose to make Him the priority in my life, there are no limits to what I can accomplish with God at my side. He is omnipotent (“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26). There is nothing I can inquire of Him that He doesn’t know. He is omniscient (“…God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” – 1 John 3:20). There is nowhere I can go where I am alone and on my own. He is omnipresent (“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” – Proverbs 15:3)

I have also learned that when God answers my prayers, it increases my faith; when He delays His answer, I am learning to be patient and trust Him, and when He doesn’t answer, it is for my protection and redirection. Thus, I am learning to be trust Him more and more, realizing that God only does what is best, right, and good for me. “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” – Psalm 91:2.

I am learning that when I do delight in the Lord, He does give me the desires of my heart… exactly as He said He would (Psalm 37:4), but He is NOT a genie who magically grants all my wishes! His ways are so much higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:9), and that it is my responsibility to trust Him in all things (Proverbs 3:5) regardless of how He chooses to answer my prayers. I am trusting that HOW God answers my prayers is a true demonstration of His great love for me! (Jeremiah 31:3)

Lastly, I am reminded that I am a work in progress. Philippians 1:6 states, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Each day takes me one step closer to my completion, and that is exciting, but I still have so much to learn! “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” So happy that I am in the Potter’s hand!

So, what’s next? A healthy BMI. Physically, that’s my Body Mass Index, a height-to-weight ratio that indicates levels of obesity. I am still in the “overweight” range, but on my way to the “healthy” range. Spiritually, it is my Believing More Index. That’s my faith-to-application ratio that indicates levels of applying my faith into my life. I am working on that, too, and looking forward to that day when my faith becomes sight! “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”- Titus 2:13

My health transformation has been so amazing, and I am excited to continue on… growing less physically and growing more spiritually! Please pray for me as I journey forward!

Change my heart, O God, make it ever true
Change my heart, O God, may I be like You

You are the potter, I am the clay,
Mold me and make me, this is what I pray

Change my heart, O God, make it ever true
Change my heart, O God, may I be like You

(from “Change My Heart, O God” by Eddie Espinoza)

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” – 2 Timothy 2:21

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May I be a vessel of honor fit for the Master’s use.