The Molding of Clay
Jeremiah 18: 1-10
The Potter and the Clay
I am here to Testify that this is truly the way of the Lord. If my life matched anything, it would be this passage with Jeremiah the Prophet. "The Potter", obviously being God and myself being the "Clay". Let's read the passage, then I will share more. Jeremiah 18: 1-10 (NLT) says, "The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So, I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would."
As twisted as we once were, God can crush us "the clay", a painful reset, but a reset much needed. As God sits on his throne, He is all powerful, immaterial, timeless, matchless in every way. Our understanding is not anything near his.
The Bible says, "My son do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights." -Proverbs 3: 11-12.
This word "chastening" means just this "humbled or disciplined, often as a result of corrections." In some context, including this story in Jeremiah it means "to refine or purify, like an art style by removing excess or falsities." God is resiliently chastening you, me, and everyone whom he loves. This molding of the clay can be imagined through the Potter taking some "excess" away and also purifying us by sifting the clay for material that ought not be there. God continues to mold us and shape us to his likeness, maybe so that when the living water is poured into us, we have enough strength in our structure we won't break from the pressure. As I spoke last night about Gods glory and faithfulness, I realized that constant pressure from the Lord to be purified and corrected was not only a good feeling but one I need and desire. Our God has brought me a long way; from a hard heart, abuse of Alcohol, a loose tongue, anger, unforgiveness, fear, control, ego, pride, selfishness, even sexual sin.
ALL THIS TO SAY, God smushed me "the clay" back into the pottery wheel and man did that hurt. I lost everything I thought I build, everything I thought was right, everything I thought was mine... All of those "I thoughts" and the pride behind "what I did", God say, "No, my son. I want you to do it my way. I want your heart and trust; I want you to know what I know. As I build this new clay pot, lean into my understanding and all things will be made clear." This showed me that God's plans for my life were and are far more abundant after I was crushed and purified.
Sometimes, we see this as a moment of suffering and condemnation. This has caused us to even blame God and doubt his love for us. The worst part is we usually allow it to create distance between us and God. I need to tell you a little secret,
GOD IS THE ANSWER.
If you feel like you are in this season, that's okay. Embrace it for what it is. Instead of distancing yourself from God, Lean into his hands. God is the Potter and in order for the clay to be formed, the potters' hands must be on it... The only one stopping that is yourself when you create distance from God. If the Answer is God, which it is, ALWAYS... Find ways to press into his correction and love. It will change how you view these seasons and through obedience, you will receive what the Lord is doing in you.
If you know the Lord is the answer, be mindful of what is going on in your life. "The Clay" should not boast in itself on how it looks, performs, or feels.
"The Clay" is still just a pile of clay without "The Potter"
Leaders in the Homes, Let's take this to our families and make this an understood lesson of Gods goodness, faithfulness, and desire to make us like him through love and correction. We can experience this in our families as well. Fathers and Mothers are a supporting hand in molding the clay of their children. Are you doing it with God's help or just laying your hands on the clay, and hoping it is good enough? Use Gods strength and love to resemble him like in Proverbs 3:11-12
God Bless You All!
