by Jill Austin
With great care Master Potter uses Piercing Love to lance her air bubbles. “Ouch, that hurts!” she cries. He spins the wheel and uses Piercing Love to cut off the top rim and discards the excess.
“Beloved, since you submitted, now I can take you higher.” He continues the process of pulling her walls up. “I love your yielded clay. This season on the wheel is a time of intimacy—My hands are touching every fiber of your being. But don’t confuse intimacy with knowledge. Because you have much zeal without much knowledge, you need to trust Me to lead you. Don’t fall back into old patterns that seem comfortable to you.”
Beloved does not really understand the full weight of what Master Potter is saying but she’s happy to once again feel His presence. As she spins on the wheel, the water dances up and down her growing walls like liquid shimmering light.
Master Potter places His hand into her and begins shaping her vessel. Great warmth and affection awaken her heart. The soft, warm clay glides gently between His fingers. “Beloved, My fingerprints are inscribed on your soul forever.”
YOU WILL BE MY MOUTHPIECE
Stopping the wheel He says, “There is one more thing I must do.” Taking His fingers He touches the top rim of her vessel and pulls gently, forming a lip. “Beloved, I have such delight in fashioning your vessel into My image. You will be My mouthpiece, My prophetic voice to bring My heart to suffering people.”
Looking at Him through tear-filled eyes, she gratefully says, “I love You, Lord—” then is taken aback. “Lord, the words just flow so effortlessly. They don’t dribble out on my shoes anymore. You found me so broken and rejected. It’s hard to believe You could make me into something beautiful. You really do love me, don’t You?”
“I do love you, but you’re only just beginning to comprehend the depths of that great love. Beloved, I want to fill your being with My truth so you can easily pour into other vessels and impart My heart. Someday I’ll give you a team of mugs and send you off on My flagship, through The Straits of the Dragon and off to the nations.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
COME, HOLY SPIRIT!
The Potter’s wheel slows and stops, and Beloved sits there resting for a moment. She hears the breeze rustling through the cedar boughs surrounding Master Potter’s House. As she looks out over the rugged cliffs, the wind increases and whitecaps form on what previously had been a placid sea.
An enormous cloud of brilliant light and roaring thunder rumbles across the churning water. Her heart races as the cloud quickly approaches the house. What could it possibly be? she wonders.
Suddenly, it engulfs them as she tries to hide in the protection of Master Potter’s hands. Swirling gusts of dazzling glory surround them, impregnating the atmosphere with the power of Heaven. Fiery torches appear as flashes of lightning in this supernatural visitation. A divine person cloaked in a mantle of raging fire appears out of the midst of it.
WELCOME, HOLY SPIRIT
Master Potter throws His head back in hearty laughter, obviously enjoying the grand entrance of His friend. The Potter’s humble appearance is set in sharp contrast with the majestic splendor of Holy Spirit’s garments, which flow and transform into fire, wind and oil before Beloved’s eyes.
An exuberant dance of glory revolves around the two comrades as They greet each other. Holy Spirit’s awesome voice speaks, “It’s so good to see the beautiful Bridegroom King.”
HOLY SPIRIT’S ATTRIBUTES
Shimmering with light and power, Holy Spirit moves toward Beloved. He is wrapped in celestial garments so that His very being glistens with golden anointing. Admiring the clay vessel forming on the wheel, Holy Spirit joyfully exclaims, “How wonderful that You’ve made Beloved into a prophetic pitcher. I remember when We first saw her on the Potter’s Field, so rejected and broken, but look at her now—a trophy of Your wonderful grace.”
She blushes bright red with the compliment and her heart warms toward Holy Spirit as she hears the love and acceptance in His voice. The air around the wheel becomes saturated with heavenly glory. The kabod of God, the weighty presence, surrounds her, causing her heart to tremble.
“Don’t be afraid, Beloved. This is Holy Spirit; He’s My best friend.” Cowering behind Master Potter’s hands, Beloved says, “I’ve never seen anyone like Him. He’s so wild and magnificent!”
“Yes, heavenly power flows through Him, but He is not just a phenomenon—fire, wind or oil—but rather a real person. And yes, He will come with those attributes; He has a personality even more glorious than all the supernatural movements that flow from His being. For He is also a Comforter, Teacher, Guide and the one who illuminates the Word of God. I want the two of you to become best friends even as we are best friends, because I can’t always be with you. For you will never be alone Beloved, as I have tenderly entrusted you to His care.”
Beloved fearfully says, “But what will I do without You?”
“If you have Him living in you, then you will also always have Me.”
With great admiration, Master Potter reassures her, “Holy Spirit has a radical passion and devotion to Me. He is on a heavenly assignment from My Father to awaken My Bride—that’s you Beloved—to your destiny and birthright. He is on a mission: to prepare His people for our upcoming marriage.
“He brings conviction of sin, deep repentance and salvation to the lost. Do you remember, Beloved, when you didn’t know Me in that desolate Potter’s Field? There, He came to you and responded to your desperate cry for help. He challenged Death for your soul by showing you the vision of yourself as a little girl in your Grandma Pearl’s church.
“He is the third person of the Trinity, equal in every way to the Father and Me. You need to know Him intimately. He is the holy escort into the deepest chambers of My heart. Beloved, someday I’ll send you back to Comfort Cove, to tell others about Me—in that day, Holy Spirit will go with you.”
ANOTHER BEST FRIEND
Shuddering to think that she would ever leave the Potter’s House, she says, “I’m afraid to go. I don’t even know how to pray.”
“He will teach you.”
Holy Spirit jumps in, “Beloved! You should have seen the prayer meeting two thousand years ago with a pack of 120 disciples who barely knew the first thing about prayer! I was sent by the Father to come to their rescue. I baptized them with fire so that they had power to preach, witness and move in extraordinary signs and wonders. Three thousand people joined the Church that day! It only takes your willing heart my dear. For when you mix a little bit of persistent prayer with My power, anything can happen!”
Shimmering with light and power, Holy Spirit moves toward her. He is wrapped in celestial garments so that His very being glistens with golden anointing.
Master Potter tells her, “Beloved, this magnificent Holy Spirit is the One who sets you on fire to remove everything that hinders love. After salvation, He brings the refiner’s fire to burn away areas of callousness, brokenness, unforgiveness and pain. The ongoing process of sanctification is a radical work of healing, cleansing and deliverance in your life as you transform into My very image.”
BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
“When you go through the wilderness, with all its obstacles, He is the one who will escort you on a marriage chariot out of that barren wilderness. In order to prepare you for these events, I want to immerse you in His unquenchable fire by baptizing you in Holy Spirit.
“You’ll receive an empowerment to commune with Me in spirit and truth. Also, you will receive an exciting new prayer language and speak in other tongues.”
She gasps, “Lord, when I was a little girl, the pastor at Comfort Cove said speaking in tongues was demonic. He said it was a device of the enemy to bring confusion into the Church, because not everyone gets it.”
“No, Beloved, this prayer language is for all My people. It’s a heavenly gift which was part of the tremendous outpouring that birthed the early Church. This is available to all believers today, but it takes a childlike fait
h to receive it.”
“I’m confused. I don’t understand. I want everything You have for me, but I don’t want to be deceived. I’m not sure what You mean when You tell me that I’ll speak in a new language. What’s wrong with my old one?”
“There’s nothing wrong with your old one, but at times your heart will be burdened, and you won’t know what to pray. Then, when you pray in tongues, Holy Spirit can pray through you. It will be in a foreign language either of different nations, or in the language of angels. At first it will offend your mind and sound like babble or baby talk. But soon it will grow to become a beautiful dialect to you, even if you don’t understand it. As you pray in this new language your spirit will be edified and strengthened. Your burdens will be released as your spirit and the Lord commune.”
Holy Spirit flames with excitement, “Tongues can be prayed silently, said out loud, or even sung. It is used in intercession, spiritual warfare, and many other ways, and it can be done personally or in group settings. The most important thing is, it will deepen your relationship with Master Potter. And I know that is the cry of your heart. So Beloved, do you want this wonderful gift I’m offering you? Do you want to be baptized in Me?”
“Oh yes, I want everything You have for me. I especially want to know Master Potter more.”
“Beloved,” says Master Potter, “just pray, ‘Come, Holy Spirit, baptize me with Your fire!’ Then start to praise Me with all of your heart and you’ll receive your heavenly prayer language.”
Timidly at first but then mounting with excitement, she passionately cries out, “Oh yes! Come, Holy Spirit.” Slowly, she feels the fiery mantle of His Spirit resting upon her as sweet abandonment sweeps over her spirit. From deep within she begins to praise Him and slowly new sounds come forth, birthing the beginnings of her prayer language.
STEPPING INTO THE BEAUTY REALM
The beauty realm suddenly opens to new vistas of celestial colors and rare fragrances intermingled with surges of glorious light as Holy Spirit communes with Master Potter.
Beloved soars on the winds of worship. She sings with all her heart, “I love You, Lord. You’re so beautiful. You fill the deepest longings of my heart. I want to be Yours forever.” Suddenly her prayer language comes joyously tumbling out.
Master Potter expresses His great pleasure, “Beloved, you’re Mine. You’ve ravished My heart. Will you run with Me to the high places in My love?”
The swirling winds of glory and fire increase as the three engage in glorious harmonies joined by the angelic host. She hears the faint orchestration of flutes and harps in a heavenly chorus and symphony of praise.
The whirlwind diminishes as the visitation ends, bringing a sense of utter stillness. Looking out to the ocean, she notices that even the sea becomes calm once more. The only sounds she can hear are the fluttering of wings and the cooing of a white dove that lights upon the shoulder of Master Potter.
“Beloved, Holy Spirit is not only wild and free but He is also gentle and sensitive—just like a dove.”
MY MOUTHPIECE
Tenderly touching her lip, He tells her, “I’ve called you to be My mouthpiece, a prophetic vessel. But your primary focus should always be spending intimate time with Me. In that secret place I will give you My heart so you can impart it to others.”
Beloved gazes into His eyes, and in the moment that their eyes meet, a new revelation of His beauty and goodness sweeps over her. Genuine adoration bursts from her heart, erupting into a chorus of praise as she worships Him in her new language.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
RITE OF PASSAGE
After the exhausting events of the day, Beloved feels drowsy. She stretches and yawns, “Wow! You made me into a pitcher, Your mouthpiece. When do I begin my ministry? On second thought, a little nap would be nice, then maybe this evening, I can go off to evangelize all the inhabitants of the Isles of the Dragon’s Lair.”
With the white dove still perched on His shoulder, Master Potter smiles knowingly, takes a towel, wipes off His hands and stands back to admire His handiwork. “Good idea! That’s just what I had in mind for you: rest.”
Picking up His cutting wire bearing the inscription Rite of Passage, He applies it to her base, cutting her off the wheel. This happens very quickly! Just a few minutes ago she was spinning with great speed on the wheel. Next she’s in His loving hands and placed on a wooden shelf next to the Potter’s wheel.
Some dried-out vessels sitting on the shelf smile at each other. “Well if it isn’t the princess, she’s finally going to join us. We’ll see how much attention she gets now.”
“Don’t worry, I’m taking these naughty vessels into the house,” Master Potter says as He places them on a board.
A RUDE AWAKENING
Basking in the warm sun, she notices other pots. “Hello there! I’m new here. I’m just passing through on my way to becoming a vessel of honor, a beautiful blue and white pitcher with golden trim. How long have you been on the shelf?” she asks with great excitement and naiveté. A few bitter and cynical vessels in different stages of the Potter’s process mumble among themselves, “Here we go again! Obviously that little piece of clay thinks it’s finished. I see a rude awakening ahead!”
Little does Beloved realize that some of these vessels have been on the shelf for many months—even years. She just wants to be included in the conversation and longs to have someone pay attention to her.
“What’s wrong with all of you? You certainly aren’t very friendly. My name is Beloved. I’m sure you’ve heard of me!”
A large squatty casserole says, “As a matter of fact, I heard you singing on the potter’s wheel. You have a beautiful voice. We wondered if you’d like to sing special music in our church.”
“I would love to. Master Potter created me to be a prophetic voice. When I minister the anointing really comes. I probably have some valuable insight into the problems you’re experiencing with your congregation. I would love to get together with you. With my help, I’m confident we can solve all your problems.”
An older and wiser pitcher interrupts abruptly. “Listen, little one, be careful. Pride goes before a fall!”
Defensively Beloved blurts out, “Pride? I’m not proud, I just know I’m gifted and know what’s going on. I’m a prophetic voice. Master Potter told me so! He has already dealt with my pride, and it’s far behind me now.”
The pitcher continues, “I’m also prophetic. I was famous for hearing from God. They needed me, I thought, but my attitude and pride disqualified me. So, Master Potter put me back on the shelf, unused and unnoticed. Now I can only humbly wait and pray for Him to use me once again.”
“You look so dried out; no wonder Master Potter put you on the shelf. My whole life has been humbling! You have no idea where I came from and how broken I was when He came for me. The truth is, nobody in the church has a gift and an anointing quite like mine! I’m His princess. He told me so.”
Yawning, Beloved closes her eyes and settles into her afternoon nap.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
PRUNING
After a few hours Master Potter returns. “Time to wake up, sleepy head,” Master Potter says as He lifts her from the shelf. “Beloved, now that you’ve dried out we will begin a new process. This will help you prepare for your exciting ministry that lies ahead.”
Turning to the vessels beside her, she says, “See, I told you so! He’s come for me so I can begin my ministry. You watch and see, I’m going to be famous.”
Sitting down on His wooden stool in front of the wheel, Master Potter flips Beloved upside down. “Bottoms up,” He says with a mischievous grin as He takes out His metal trimming tool named Pruning.
Embarrassed by the awkwardness of her position, she blushes as the other vessels chuckle with glee, “She doesn’t look so proud now, does she? Enjoy the ride, Princess Beloved!”
PRUNING
Without hesitation, Master Potter takes Pruning and begins painfully scraping at the bare bott
om of her vessel to trim off the excess clay. “Ouch! Ouch! Wait a minute. That’s part of me. I thought I was finished. Why are You doing this? Can’t You see how everyone’s laughing at me? Stop! Please.”
“Beloved, this is a time of pruning. You won’t be giving words until we deal with some of the pride in your heart.”
“Ouch! Do You have to do this in front of everybody? Is it really necessary? Couldn’t You at least do this in private?”
“You wanted a platform and to be seen, didn’t you? And I’ve given you a leadership calling. The more public your position, the more you’ll be trimmed in public. I’m taking off excess clay to create a foot on the bottom of your vessel to give you stability and a firm foundation.”
“It’s not fair! Others are being lifted up and promoted and I don’t see You trimming their bottoms. Why don’t they need to be trimmed too? That one over there has a chip on his shoulder, and just look at that big-mouthed know-it-all. I’m no worse than they are.”
Gently but firmly He continues to trim her bottom. “Don’t worry about those other vessels; that’s My concern. If I don’t trim your bottom you will crack as you’re drying on the shelf, or blow up in the firing ahead.”
RELATIONSHIPS THAT TRIM US
Master Potter continues, “The trimming tools I use to expose your heart are often the relationships that are closest to you. Family and friends at church or work may misunderstand and judge you. During these times of testing, your challenge is to keep your heart soft no matter what. I’m not concerned about title or position.”