Bubbles

"...and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY Him; For those WHOM THE Lord loves He disciplines,And He scourges every son whom He receives." It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" Hebrews 12:5-7

A visitor to a famous pottery establishment was puzzled by an operation that seemed aimless. In one room, there was a mass of clay beside a workman. Every now and then, he took up a large mallet and struck several hard blows on the surface of the lump.

Curiosity led the visitor to ask, "Why do you do that?"

"Wait a bit, sir, and watch it," came the potter's answer. The visitor obeyed, and soon the top of the mass began to heave and swell. Bubbles formed on the surface of the lump.

"Now, sir, you see," said the potter with a smile, "I could never shape the clay into a vase if these air bubbles were in it. Therefore, I gradually beat them out."

Isn't the discipline of life just a beating out of the bubbles of pride and self-will - so the Master may form a vessel of the earth to hold heavenly treasures?