Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. - Isaiah 64:8 NIV
In college, I had a friend Chris, an art student who was a potter. One day he asked me if I’d like to observe him at work. I was thrilled to be included and learned much in the process. While there isn’t much needed to throw a pot -- clay, water, wheel, and a kiln -- the end product is only as good as the talent as the artist. After observing the clay for any organic material -- bits of matter that might create flaws, he placed the lump of clay in the center of the wheel. Placement is essential so the pot can remain balanced. Once the wheel begins to spin, the potter’s hands form the clay into the image in the artist’s mind. Periodically, water needs to be applied to keep the clay pliable -- but not too much otherwise, the clay becomes too wet. Once the desired pot is formed, it must go into the kiln to be fired. It is the consistent heat of the oven that hardens it into a usable object.
When God creates us, he takes the same care as the potter. Within us, there is matter, sin, that must be removed. Then, God places us in the center of his love, where he uses his loving hands to mold us into the image he has in mind. Sometimes, through no fault of the potter, we need to be remolded into something new. The water of our baptism is critical; too dry clay cannot be molded. The periodic rewetting is our remembrance of the covenant we have made with God. Not that we are ever fully completed -- God is constantly forming us into the image of who we are to be -- but the kiln, may the daily trials and temptations we face as Christians.
Lord, our Father, we give thanks for your patience as a potter. Lord, pluck the sin from our lives, wet us with cleansing waters, and make us into the vessels you want us to be. Help us to stand in the face of temptation and harden us against evil with your Holy Spirit. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
If you have never heard the song, “He Didn’t Throw the Clay Away”, it’s worth a listen. Here is a link to a recording by The Lesters. Below are the lyrics.
“He Didn’t Throw the Clay Away”
By Gene Reasoner – June 1, 2000
Empty and broken, I came back to Him
A vessel unworthy, so scarred with sin.
But He did not despair...He started over again
And I bless the day, He didn't throw the clay away.
Over and over, He molds me and makes me,
Into His likeness, He fashions the clay.
A vessel of honor, I am today,
All because Jesus didn't throw the clay away.
He is the Potter...I am the clay
And molded in His image, He wants me to stay.
Oh, but when I stumble...
When I fall...
When my vessel breaks,
He just picks up those pieces,
He does not throw the clay away...
Over and over, He molds me and makes me,
Into His likeness, He fashions the clay.
A vessel of honor, I am today,
All because Jesus didn't throw the clay away.
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