So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
Jeremiah 18:3-6

Have Thine Own Way, Lord TFF 152

1 Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.

2 Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. Search me and try me, Master, today.
Purer than snow, Lord, wash me just now, as in thy presence humbly I bow.

3 Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. Wounded and weary, help me, I pray.
Power, all power surely is thine. Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

4 Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me.

Text: Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934

Adelaide Potter was 40 years old trying to raise money to be sent to Africa as a missionary when she stopped to ask herself, “why is this so hard?” If God really wanted her to go to Africa at the age of 40, shouldn’t it be easier? Should he not be “greasing the tracks” as it were instead of making it so difficult? These are good questions by our modern sensibilities, and this was the advice of her friends and family. So she went to church that night and committed herself to prayer. And as she prayed, one of the elderly ladies came up beside her, and knowing the burden on her heart, prayed this prayer; “Lord, it doesn’t matter what you bring into our lives. Just have your way with us.” You might say that prayer was a moment of clarity for Adelaide, because she went home, opened her bible to read about Jeremiah’s visit to a potter’s house and then she sat down and wrote the lyrics to the hymn for which she is best known, “Have Thine Own Way Lord have thine own way. Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.”

Prayer: How often Lord, we seek release from our duty and from your expectations. How often we wonder why the way of Christ is so hard and the way so heavy. How often we forget the yoke you bid us carry is easy and your burden; light. Like Adelaide we need to stand before you and pray, “Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way!” Amen