Have Thine Own Way

“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.”—Isaiah 64:8 KJV

Adelaide Pollard spent most of her life serving God. She felt called to missionary work in Africa. But as a 40-year-old in 1902, despite her prayers and efforts, she was unable to raise the necessary support. Frustrated, she attended a prayer meeting where she heard an elderly woman pray, “It really doesn’t matter what You do with us, Lord—just have Your way with our lives.” It was a message that put her life in perspective. Suddenly, Adelaide had peace.

Returning home, she studied the Scriptures and saw how God was the potter, and she was the clay. She read in Jeremiah 18 how the potter shaped the clay as seemed best to him.

She then wrote a poem that was published as a hymn in 1907. It was a prayer, asking God to have His way with her life. “I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.”

She asked God to search and try her. She confessed her weakness: “Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!” She cried, “Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.” She surrendered her life to God, praying, “Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me.”

No matter what you go through, remember that God is the potter. He is shaping you. Surrender your life to Him. Allow Him to make you more like Jesus.

Reflection Question: Compose a prayer of surrender.