It is no wonder I was intrigued by the coaster. Sea turtles have a special meaning to me. There they were two little sea turtles making their way towards the ocean’s tide. Their perilous journey across land was almost over. A stripe of color ran through the sand creating a unique beauty about this piece.
I picked it up and flipped it over in my hand looking for the price. I found the word Raku instead. It went on to say: “Each Raku art piece is pulled red hot from a kiln and left to smolder in the wood shavings. Not all survive the trail by fire. The ones that do, cultivate strength and beauty.”
I felt that.
I know fire…and if I’m honest, as I turned the piece over in my hand, my life felt like it was engulfed by flames.
I bought the coaster and reflected on the process it took to make the piece over the next couple days. From the fire of the kiln to the smoldering in the wood shavings to having the finished product.
It was a week later when I was reminded of John 10:10 that says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (KJV)
I look over my 41 years of life and I see a wasteland. The dry winds blowing dust over barren lands. There are deep cracks that run the length of the ground, gaping open like mouths ready for life giving rains. The clouds pass by and withhold their moisture. My soul cries out for a drink.
God, where is the abundant life?
In that moment, in the way only God can, He spoke and blended that scripture with the Raku coaster. I understood that they each have a pivot, a moment where everything changes.
This is my time in the pivot.
The pivot for the Raku is smoldering in the wood shavings. The created piece is not a completed work until it has survived the smoldering process. This is where the strength and quality of the piece is tested. It is during this time, when the fire is removed that most pieces break.
I had always thought that it was the fire that broke the piece…that broke us. I can see clearly now, the real test begins when the fire has been removed.
In the fire we stood. We had to. It is after we jump out of the flames that the pain begins to envelope us. No longer having to fight just to survive, the emotions we stifled began to rage. Doubts and fear for the unknown life ahead plague our mind. It is in the smolder, in the pivot that our grit is proven.
Enduring in the pivot is what refines us. Being made complete so that we can fulfill our intended purpose. Like the Raku, we gain our resilience and splash of color. Our character that makes us unique and one of a kind.
The above scripture also has a pivot. In one breath, Jesus spoke this scripture that has two distinct parts. In the first part, the enemy wreaks havoc. Stealing, killing, and destroying. Then we have the pivot. It is marked with a colon, followed by the second part, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
The pivot is the moment between two distinct parts that belong to one life.
Like the scripture, our life begins under the assault of the enemy. Unknowingly, he rules our life, leaving destruction in his wake. Then the pivot. Each and every one of us will have an “aha moment.” The decision we make there will change the trajectory of our entire life.
It is in the pivot where the addictions we left behind rear their ugly heads. The pivot is where we will relapse or forge ahead into the unknown future. The place where we keep our gate closed to toxic people or open it wide. Surrendering our peace and well-being. This is where God asks us to forsake everything and swim in the depths of Himself. To empty our hands of everything else and hold on to Him alone.
One of two things will happen in the pivot.
The first is the easiest, and that is to break. It doesn’t require any unknown discomfort to break and fall back into old lifestyles and familiar patterns. This is what we have always known. We find comfort in the discomfort, because we know how to walk in the ashes. We know how to survive. But we will never reach the abundant life that was intended for us. We will never walk in our true identity and purpose if we break.
The second is to smolder. It is in the smolder that we are moved by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We fix our eyes on what is unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18) and endure.
This is a painful process!
We are being change and strengthened. We are growing and growing pains hurt. Like the Raku piece that is buried in wood shavings we feel forsaken. Left alone to fend for ourselves.
But you are not alone, you are becoming!
Becoming all that you were created to be! You are finding your true identity. The person you have been all along will no longer be hidden from you.
Endure! You are stronger than you know!
While the heat from the flames still burns in your soul, you may feel helpless. If all you can do is take one more breath, breathe. Breathe deeply. A breath will lead to a step. One step will become two and soon you will walk into your true identity into abundant life!
Will your trials be over? No. Will the enemy of your soul no longer seek to destroy you? No, the fight doesn’t end but you will be more equipped for the war. You will be stronger and wiser. The smolder is a precious time. A forced slow down really, offering you time to reflect on what was and establish goals for what will be. This is a rare opportunity for a change in direction.
Take it my friend, and fix your eyes firmly on what lies ahead, on things eternal. On the things that you cannot yet see!
Embrace the pivot. Endure. Better days are just ahead.
Hiking in Pearls 