Automation has its benefits, but it is also endangering us from losing some of the precious crafts from artisans that have been around for thousands of years. One of those trades is pottery. There is something magical about watching clay in the potter’s hand. With pure grace, he can shape wet mud into a work of art. Did you know that you are just like that in God’s hands?
Jeremiah 18:6
House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?” — this is the Lord’s declaration. “Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.
A Beautiful Vessel
Many of us want to trust that God is sovereign and in control, but it is hard. Jeremiah reminds us of this vital truth by using the potter’s clay metaphor. The potter works with his clay as the wheel spins (think Earth), and he molds us and shapes us into the vessel he chooses. He always has the best interest of the clay in his hand and wants it to be something that he is proud of and will be productive after it is completed. That is precisely what God has in mind for us.
The Inflexible Break
This is a beautiful thought for most believers, but some have a hard time. They want to choose what they do with their lives and, to a certain extent, they do. They can choose to be pliable clay, or they can choose to be impure and challenging to maneuver. The great thing is that God doesn’t get frustrated and cast us off. He simply starts over and begins the process of molding again. That’s why you see so many Christians go through the same thing over and over because they get so far, and it all falls apart.
Clay in a Potter’s Hand
There are three stages a vessel must go through to be usable. It must be molded; then, it must dry out, and then finally, it must go through the fire. If the vessel fails at any of these stages, it is useless. This is an excellent example of discipleship. God is using life to mold us, making us wait to learn faith, and finally putting us through the fire (trials) to remove the strengthen us. Each stage is necessary, and we need to learn how to walk the journey with Jesus through each one.