God’s Molded Instruments

<p>Considered one of the greatest video games ever made, Nintendo&rsquo;s <em>The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time</em> published by Nintendo has sold more than seven million copies worldwide. It&rsquo;s also popularized the ocarina, a tiny, ancient, potato-shaped musical instrument made of clay.</p> <p>The ocarina doesn&rsquo;t look like much of a musical instrument. However, when it&rsquo;s played&mdash;by blowing into its mouthpiece and covering various holes around its misshapen body&mdash;it produces a strikingly serene and hauntingly hopeful sound.&nbsp;</p> <p>The ocarina&rsquo;s maker took a lump of clay, applied pressure and heat to it, and transformed it into an amazing musical instrument. I see a picture of God and us here. Isaiah 64:6, 8&ndash;9 tells us: &ldquo;All of us have become like one who is unclean. . . . Yet you, <smallcaps>Lord</smallcaps>, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter. . . . Do not be angry beyond measure.&rdquo; The prophet was saying: <em>God, you&rsquo;re in charge. We&rsquo;re all sinful. Shape us into beautiful instruments for You</em>.</p> <p>That&rsquo;s exactly what God does! In His mercy, He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sin, and now, He&rsquo;s shaping and transforming us as we walk in step with His Spirit every day. Just as the ocarina maker&rsquo;s breath flows through the instrument to produce beautiful music, God works through us&mdash;His molded instruments&mdash;to accomplish His beautiful will: to be more and more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).</p>