Today’s Reading: Isaiah 64:8; Romans 9:21
Imagine, it is the cool of the morning and the potter comes into his workshop. He looks around and marvels at the items that are in his workshop. He also has in mind something new that He wants to create. He sits at the wheel and places a piece of raw clay on the wheel. It takes several minutes to get the clay to start working properly. There is a lot of time and concentration taking place. The potter uses some water and allows the clay to expand and contract under his fingers. Then once the clay is properly prepared, the potter then start to shape the clay. It looks like a plate, then it transforms into a bowl. Then the shape is transformed from a bowl into a jar. The end product is up to the potter. He can choose different purposes for the creation. From the same piece of clay, the potter can make many different and purposeful items that would be essential for everyone to use. The Potter can then design each piece differently even though they may look similar.
Jeremiah 18: 1- 10
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:2 “Arise, and go down to (A)the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear[a]my words.”3 So I went down to (B)the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel.4 And the vessel he was making of clay was (C)spoiled in the potter’s hand, and (D)he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
5 Then the word of the Lordcame to me:6 “O house of Israel, (E)can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. (F)Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.7 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will (G)pluck up and break down and destroy it,8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, (H)turns from its evil, (I)I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.9 And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will (J)build and plant it,10 and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.11 Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. (K)Return, every one from his evil way, and (L)amend your ways and your deeds.’
The creation of the item is the first step. The next and most critical step is the firing of the clay. Before the creation will be able to withstand the harshness of use and wear, it must be placed in a kiln. This is where the item is subjected to some of the most extreme heat and pressures to create the final product. The kiln has to be the correct temperature. If it is too hot, it can deform or even melt the clay. If it is too low, it will not create the integrity to sustain the item. The range goes from 212oF to 2345oF. With this range of temperatures, each degree confers a higher level of integrity, but not all clay is suited for each extreme. It is up to the Potter to determine the end purpose of the finished product.
With the earthly potter, the finished product is purchased and the final destination and purpose of the item is somewhat unknown to the potter. But our Heavenly Potter, can repurpose the final product at any given time. This is seen in the gospel of John and the Epistle of Romans.
John 2: 6
Now there were six stone water jars there (G)for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty (H)gallons.[a]7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”And they filled them up to the brim.8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.”So they took it.9 When the master of the feast tasted (I)the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested (J)his glory. And (K)his disciples believed in him.
Romans 9: 20-24
20 But who are you, O man, (AA)to answer back to God? (AB)Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”21 (AC)Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump (AD)one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience (AE)vessels of wrath (AF)prepared for destruction,23 in order to make known (AG)the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he (AH)has prepared beforehand for glory—24 even us whom he (AI)has called, (AJ)not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
The Ultimate Potter is continuously shaping and redesigning us for our ultimate purpose. When we are in the midst of many trials and tribulations, God is perfecting us to be the proper vessel to provided and deliver His Glory. The process of pottery making is an intense and arduous process, but the results can withstand time. Allow yourself to ask what is the purpose that the Potter has for you and what is the direction He is leading you.
Be Blessed.