One Touch of the Master’s Hand! |

Lately, I’ve felt worn out.

I am worn out from this fight. I’ve been in this war way too long. I am battered, scarred, and wounded.

I’ve been attacked simply because I had a difference of opinion. I’ve been fired upon for standing up for biblical principles and defending my faith. Perhaps you’ve been there, too.

The darts thrown my way seem to pierce deeper with every thrust. I know what Jesus said: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first… If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:18, 20).

Even with these words looming before me, it’s still hard.

Don’t get me wrong! I realize that people across the world have it far worse than you or me. They live under the scrutiny of watchful eyes, knowing that they could be martyred for their faith in Jesus. So, I’m not complaining. I’m just tired.

I remember the first time I saw this picture. I couldn’t peel my eyes away from it.

I thought, “I wonder where he’s been?” It certainly seems that he’s been around the block a few times.

But then I stared at it longer. And that’s when I saw it…

I saw myself in this portrait. I felt just like this man.

How about you? Does it seem to convey your story as well? Maybe how you’re feeling at the moment?

Are you having a hard time standing up? Are your clothes torn? Your hands worn and dirty? Your hair disheveled?

Now, glare into it longer. How do you know that this feeble man is going to be okay?

Well, here’s my answer: I know that he will be okay simply because the One holding him up will carry him to a safe place and clean his wounds, comb his hair, give him new clothes, and provide rest. I can’t think of a better picture than this, can you?

Do you ever feel like a lump of clay that hasn’t been molded yet? You haven’t seen your worth/purpose? You think of yourself as a pauper wearing rags wandering through life.

Isaiah the prophet said, “O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).

Here’s the thing! Our Potter is seated at the Potter’s wheel. Waiting! Hoping for willing vessels. He wants to mold us into something usable, something really beautiful.

A true MASTERPIECE!

And let me tell you – the most beautiful souls are the most moldable ones. Because they are willing to let Him change them from the inside out. They are soft clay in the hands of the Potter.

In order to be a true light for Jesus, we need to bear a strong resemblance to Jesus. We need to walk and talk like Him. Of course we can never be perfect, but it is possible to resemble the One we belong to.

Climbing up on the Potter’s Wheel and letting Him mold us will give Him the opportunity to create a TRUE masterpiece. But we have to be willing vessels. Willing to let Him clean out the impurities.

And letting the bad stuff go is not always easy, but a necessary part of the molding.

I believe you want this. I know I do. Think of your Potter smiling at His finished product and proudly displaying it for all to see. No doubt, you are one of His grandest creations yet.

As you think of this picture, read carefully the words to the following poem. And then climb up onto our Potter’s wheel and let Him get to work. That’s where I’ll be.

THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER’S HAND
by: Myra Brooks Welch

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
“What am I bid, good people”, he cried,
“Who starts the bidding for me?”
“One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?”
“Two dollars, who makes it three?”

“Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going for three”. . . but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said “What now am I bid for this old violin?”
As he held it aloft with its bow.
“One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?”
“Two thousand, Who makes it three?”
“Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone”, said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
“We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?” Swift came the reply:
“The touch of the Master’s hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.

A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on,
He’s going once, and going twice –
He’s going – and almost gone!
But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,
Never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul, and the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the MASTER’S hand.

6 Comments

Rebecca Russell on November 18, 2016 at 11:34 pm

Thank you for the touching letter of encouragement..this has been two of the toughest weeks for us…beginning with our new car having mechanical issues, my husbands sister getting gangrene, cleared up with particulate toe removed now two days after coming home she was back in the hospital facing bypass surgery on three artieries.. our children are all of us getting together for the first time in 12 years and our son is physically ill and emotionally stressed trying to raise a family on a servers salary.. wife finishing school now as well.. me always some medical castasphere on the cusp..tired, just tired…fighting infighting…this message gives me hope…you know all of this as a Christian but the photo, by one of my favorite artist captures the brokenness we face as believers and trials we come up against, our faith, our beliefs and trying to hold family together..God Bless You Sheryl…

Sheryl Pellatiro on November 18, 2016 at 11:37 pm

Thank you, Rebecca. I’m so sorry about all the stuff you’ve been going through. Glad that this message gives you hope.

Rommy on November 19, 2016 at 12:57 am

The thing I notice the most about this picture; along with Jesus holding the helpless young man, is the object in his hand hanging limp at his side; but he hasn’t let it go. The hammer that drove the nails into the Master’s hands and feet; our sin! Yet, here is the Master, our precious JESUS, ready to rescue, heal and bind up wounds!
Isa 61:1 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners;
Isa 61:2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
Isa 61:3 to provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” “Then people will call them “Oaks of Righteousness”, “The Planting of the LORD”, in order to display his splendor.
Isa 61:4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will build again the ruined cities, they will build again the places devastated for many generations.
Isa 61:5 Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners will work your land and dress your vines.
Isa 61:6 But as for you, you will be called priests of the LORD, and you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of the nations, and you will boast about their riches.
Isa 61:7 Instead of your shame you will receive double, and instead of disgrace people will shout with joy over your inheritance; therefore you will inherit a double portion in their land; everlasting joy will be yours.” Isa 61:10 “I will heartily rejoice in the LORD, my soul will delight in my God; for he has wrapped me in garments of salvation; he has arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, just like a bridegroom, like a priest with a garland, and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels

Nan on November 19, 2016 at 6:05 pm

Thank you this is a heart touching word. Thank you Sheryl for your caring heart. In Christ Alone Nan

Karen on November 19, 2016 at 11:58 pm

What an encouragement you are!!! I can so relate. My tanks are empty, but I know who has my gas. Love you, Sweet Sister. Oxox

Sheryl Pellatiro on November 20, 2016 at 12:47 am

AWWW thank you, Karen. You are an encouragement to me too.

Rebecca Russell on November 18, 2016 at 11:34 pm

Thank you for the touching letter of encouragement..this has been two of the toughest weeks for us…beginning with our new car having mechanical issues, my husbands sister getting gangrene, cleared up with particulate toe removed now two days after coming home she was back in the hospital facing bypass surgery on three artieries.. our children are all of us getting together for the first time in 12 years and our son is physically ill and emotionally stressed trying to raise a family on a servers salary.. wife finishing school now as well.. me always some medical castasphere on the cusp..tired, just tired…fighting infighting…this message gives me hope…you know all of this as a Christian but the photo, by one of my favorite artist captures the brokenness we face as believers and trials we come up against, our faith, our beliefs and trying to hold family together..God Bless You Sheryl…
- Sheryl Pellatiro on November 18, 2016 at 11:37 pm
  
  Thank you, Rebecca. I’m so sorry about all the stuff you’ve been going through. Glad that this message gives you hope.
Rommy on November 19, 2016 at 12:57 am

The thing I notice the most about this picture; along with Jesus holding the helpless young man, is the object in his hand hanging limp at his side; but he hasn’t let it go. The hammer that drove the nails into the Master’s hands and feet; our sin! Yet, here is the Master, our precious JESUS, ready to rescue, heal and bind up wounds!
Isa 61:1 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners;
Isa 61:2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
Isa 61:3 to provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” “Then people will call them “Oaks of Righteousness”, “The Planting of the LORD”, in order to display his splendor.
Isa 61:4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will build again the ruined cities, they will build again the places devastated for many generations.
Isa 61:5 Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners will work your land and dress your vines.
Isa 61:6 But as for you, you will be called priests of the LORD, and you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of the nations, and you will boast about their riches.
Isa 61:7 Instead of your shame you will receive double, and instead of disgrace people will shout with joy over your inheritance; therefore you will inherit a double portion in their land; everlasting joy will be yours.” Isa 61:10 “I will heartily rejoice in the LORD, my soul will delight in my God; for he has wrapped me in garments of salvation; he has arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, just like a bridegroom, like a priest with a garland, and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels
Nan on November 19, 2016 at 6:05 pm

Thank you this is a heart touching word. Thank you Sheryl for your caring heart. In Christ Alone Nan
Karen on November 19, 2016 at 11:58 pm

What an encouragement you are!!! I can so relate. My tanks are empty, but I know who has my gas. Love you, Sweet Sister. Oxox
- Sheryl Pellatiro on November 20, 2016 at 12:47 am
  
  AWWW thank you, Karen. You are an encouragement to me too.