While finishing up my last semester of college, I had a few electives to choose from. Thinking I’d take the easiest classes possible after all those years of hard work, I selected ceramics. Little did I know it would be one of my most challenging classes. I still recall the first day we all walked into the class.
“If you all think this will be an easy class, I am here to warn you. It won’t be.” said the professor. “You will be frustrated at first and eventually get the hang of it, but it will require lots of effort and concentration. You can leave now for those that aren’t up for the challenge. No harm. No foul.”
Shortly after his short speech, several students got up and walked out. In time, I realized he was right. The class was challenging, demanding, and frustrating at first. What many people do not know is that “throwing clay,” as they say, requires finding the right combination of rotation, water, density, and applied pressure.
When a potter throws the raw clay form on the wheel, the goal is to shape the clay into a desired form. Giving shape to the clay requires a potter to regulate the rotation speed and pressure applied to the clay. Too much speed and the form breaks apart. Apply too much pressure, and the clay forms uneven and unbalanced.
However, when a potter uses the correct speed and applies the proper pressure, the result is a balanced, well-formed clay. Afterward, the potter “bakes” the clay in a kiln at a temperature between 2124℉ and 2264℉. This process strengthens the soft clay into a hard and durable use ceramic. As a result, the once-soft clay is now a durable ceramic ready for purposeful use.
My class experience reminds me that God does the same with us. Scripture reminds us that He is the potter, and we are the clay. He always has a plan and design for our life. When we’re in the potter’s hand he will apply the right amount of pressure and fire to make us purposeful, functional, and durable for His is intended use.
Daily Directive:
Answer and Journal the Following
Read:
The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.
Pray:
Pray to understand this scripture and how to apply it to your life.
Meditate
Contemplate and meditate on this passage. How are you allowing God to work on you and form you for His purpose?
Show and Share:
List some practical ways you will make work a form of worship.
