The Potter and the Clay in all Seasons of Life (God in Every Season Devotion Series)
Written by Faye Angelo, Volunteer at Drop-In Centre
Yet, Oh Lord, you are our Father.
We are the clay; you are the potter.
We are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
The bible often refers to God as the potter and his people as the clay.
Have you seen hand-made pots or objects? Each one unique. Some simple unglazed and undecorated. Some oddly shaped and quirky. Then there are those with shiny glaze and vibrant colours, admired for their beauty and elegance. Others are highly decorated with attractive patterns placed as objects of beauty to be appreciated. Regardless, all of these are made of clay. Simply clay, a mix of soil (dust) and water.
All his creations are molded and formed lovingly by the hands of a skilled potter. “Out of the same clay he makes some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use.” (Romans 9:20,21). As the creator the potter chooses to make out of clay what he chooses.
We are the clay he is the Potter. As God’s people we need to entrust ourselves completely, unreservedly into his loving hands, to make us and mold as He, in his divine wisdom sees fit. We should not talk back to God who formed us “Why did you make me like this?” (Romans 9:20 ). He is the all-knowing and all-seeing God who makes us into a masterful creation, each one unique, and for different purposes.
The amazing thing about clay is that when it is wet it is easily molded and remolded. Yet, there are times it collapses or cracks in the potter hands. Because he is intimately involved with what he is creating, he continues to work the clay until he has shaped it into what he has planned; a remarkable and unique vessel. Then he is full of joy at what he has formed from the clay. We the clay should also share this Joy as we embrace what God does and is doing in us.
But this is not the end of the process, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
For the vessel or pot to last it must then be trimmed and dried. Then after drying, it is fired in a kiln at around 1000oC. The potter eagerly awaits the end of firing to see how the pot did. If it comes out of the kiln in good condition it can then be decorated and glazed. At this stage there may even be unexpected beautiful results from the firing. Then it is fired again at even higher temperatures. It is at the end of this process a vessel created and formed by the potter is fit for purpose and carried into permanent life and use.
As the loving, skillful Potter, God is intimately involved in working in us according to his purposes, We as his people need to obey God, and entrust ourselves to him “for God is working in us the desire and power to do what pleases him.” (Phil 2:13NLT)
Trust him, he knows what he is doing in our lives. What he has formed will last through the drying and firing, and last forever, bringing joy to the creator.