Clay in the Potter’s Hand
Evidence of a potter’s hand is all over our home.
The first gift I ever received from my husband was a beautiful teapot made while studying under a master potter. And throughout the decades, we’ve used his functional and decorative pottery. The fruit bowl he made still holds fruit for our family, and his vase has held stalks of wheat to remind us of our Kansas roots.
Turn over most pots in our home and scrawled on its underside is proof.
For a long time, he set pottery aside to attend to life’s demands. In thirty-plus years of marriage, I’d never seen this potter-side of my husband. But for the first time since we’ve known each other, he’s had access to a studio and recently I was able to go with him.
As I perched on a stool to watch, I saw the process in action. First, preparing the wheel and putting on an apron, my husband wedged the clay – like kneading dough. Next, gathering his tools and sponges, his bucket of water, he sat down to portion the clay. Finally, with the spinning wheel, water, and the application of gentle pressure, his hands shaped with the plan in mind.
Appreciating the technique, the time, the patience, and frankly, the messiness of clay, I gained a perspective I’d never had before. Seeing the process helps me enjoy the finished pots around my home all the more. My view widened, and my posture was watchful and hopeful as I patiently waited for my husband, the potter, to transform the clay.
Perspective and posture matter in relationship with God, with ourselves, and with others. We, too, are pieces of clay in the Master Potter’s hand. Job 33:6 – CSB – I am just like you before God; I was also pinch…
It reminds me of the very broken and messy time in my life.
As I awoke the third day after my surgery, I was so grateful. I had a “God do whatever you need to do, and I’ll do whatever you want me to” mindset. I communicated with my husband as soon as I was able that alcohol was over, and I was ready to start down the long road of healing and restoring my body, mind, and spirit with a positive attitude.
My perspective had widened by the awe of what God had brought me through, and my posture was humble. Literally flat on my back and looking up from a hospital bed, completely helpless and dependent. I trusted the Master Potter was implementing His plan for me in this dark, scary situation. Exodus 20:21 – The people remained at a distance, while Moses …
The Master Potter wants to write His Name on any willing heart and like a potter with clay transform your life. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 – You yourselves are our letter, written on our h… Corinthians 4:7 – NLT – We now have this light shining in our hearts, b…
Breaking is part of the process to help us gain perspective and incentive to take the posture to receive what God has planned for us. Breaking allows for light to seep into the darkness of our circumstances and make an opportunity to receive Him and His transforming Spirit. Trusting His promise to give purpose to our pain, what a great treasure is waiting to be stored inside our earthen vessels when we invite Him in.
Are you stumped about the broken things in your life? Are you craving more out of life but just don’t know what that more is? The Master Potter has your transformation already planned – greater than you could ever dream or imagine.
Will you be willing to let Him mold you?
