<p>A priest once visited an artist’s house. There he saw an exceedingly beautiful flower vase on the table. Struck by its elegance, he asked, “Can I buy this vase?” “No,” he said. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The priest kept persuading him by increasing his quote when finally the potter said, “Even for all the world’s riches, I will not sell it to anyone.” Shocked by his response, the priest asked “What is so special about this flower vase?”<br /><br />The artist replied, “I have lived many years in gambling, drinking, fraudulent work and even vandalism. But one day I took a walk into a church and there I was so deeply touched by a sermon that God can change our lives if we give ourselves into His hands. I was deeply inspired. While returning home, I found a heap of clay on the roadside.<br /><br /> I stopped, picked up a lump of clay and crafted this vase. Every day I would look at this vase and think of how a lump of clay can be shaped into something so beautiful. I then thought of myself and gave myself to God. From then on, my life has changed completely. I turned from my evil ways and began to experience new life, more joy, peace, comfort. I got new friends and my business began to flourish.”<br /><br />Saint Paul repeatedly urged his community to change their lives. In his letter to the Ephesians, he wrote: “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:21). <br /><br />To the Colossians he wrote, “Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:10). <br /><br />Timothy in his letter wrote, “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21). God promises to Prophet Isaiah, “I will make a man more precious than gold.” (Isaiah 13:12).<br /><br />God is like a potter and we are clay. When we give ourselves to Him, he will shape us into something beautiful. God is like the goldsmith who will make us pure gold by putting us through the fire to remove those impurities. <br /><br />God is like a sculptor who chips, chisels and shapes a piece of stone into a beautiful statue that everyone would admire. <br /><br />Making a change from old ways is sometimes a struggle, painful and sometimes seemingly impossible. But it is worth the effort when you have faith in God and are sure you will find a new lease of life.<br /><br />A snake that does not cast its skin has to die. So it is with us, we die every day, when we refuse to change. Place yourself in God’s hands, He will make that change.<br /></p>
<p>A priest once visited an artist’s house. There he saw an exceedingly beautiful flower vase on the table. Struck by its elegance, he asked, “Can I buy this vase?” “No,” he said. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The priest kept persuading him by increasing his quote when finally the potter said, “Even for all the world’s riches, I will not sell it to anyone.” Shocked by his response, the priest asked “What is so special about this flower vase?”<br /><br />The artist replied, “I have lived many years in gambling, drinking, fraudulent work and even vandalism. But one day I took a walk into a church and there I was so deeply touched by a sermon that God can change our lives if we give ourselves into His hands. I was deeply inspired. While returning home, I found a heap of clay on the roadside.<br /><br /> I stopped, picked up a lump of clay and crafted this vase. Every day I would look at this vase and think of how a lump of clay can be shaped into something so beautiful. I then thought of myself and gave myself to God. From then on, my life has changed completely. I turned from my evil ways and began to experience new life, more joy, peace, comfort. I got new friends and my business began to flourish.”<br /><br />Saint Paul repeatedly urged his community to change their lives. In his letter to the Ephesians, he wrote: “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:21). <br /><br />To the Colossians he wrote, “Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:10). <br /><br />Timothy in his letter wrote, “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21). God promises to Prophet Isaiah, “I will make a man more precious than gold.” (Isaiah 13:12).<br /><br />God is like a potter and we are clay. When we give ourselves to Him, he will shape us into something beautiful. God is like the goldsmith who will make us pure gold by putting us through the fire to remove those impurities. <br /><br />God is like a sculptor who chips, chisels and shapes a piece of stone into a beautiful statue that everyone would admire. <br /><br />Making a change from old ways is sometimes a struggle, painful and sometimes seemingly impossible. But it is worth the effort when you have faith in God and are sure you will find a new lease of life.<br /><br />A snake that does not cast its skin has to die. So it is with us, we die every day, when we refuse to change. Place yourself in God’s hands, He will make that change.<br /></p>