I had the opportunity recently to see some of the process that it takes to make a clay pot. It seems to be a labor intensive process that can take from seven to ten steps depending on the potter’s methods to complete from a mound of clay to the finished product of a bowl, vase, etc. It is also a beautiful process to watch and to see what comes out as the finished product which must be very satisfying for the potter. The potential of that vision started in their head and became a reality through their hard work and dedication. I had looked up some of the steps to making or “throwing” clay and saw that there are many tutorials on how to do so with and without having a wheel. The one that I had observed and the step that I want to concentrate on involves showing how the potter uses the wheel and then takes this lump of clay and begins to open and pull that clay into the shape that they had envisioned. At some of that opening and pulling, one hand is inside the pot and the other hand is on the outside working together to bring that vision to life.
So, why am I talking about this?
I know that all of the steps are an important part of that process, but the opening and pulling of the clay is what our God does with us when He is forming us into the potential that He knows that we can be as He works within us in drawing us closer to Him. Remember the words in Isaiah 64:8, which says “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay and you are the potter. We are all the work of your hands.”
When God opens us up to Him, He helps us to envision something different or even better than what we can imagine for ourselves. It’s certainly not an easy process for us at least! As humans, we like to be in control and take over, maybe even skip a few steps in the process. This is NOT how our God works! We need to trust Him through it. This process of opening and pulling us just like the potter does to the clay takes us choosing to have faith over our fear. God is preparing us for what is to come when He tells us to wait. He is molding us into our potential. Again, this is not easy by any means.
Too many times, we go back to what is comfortable even as we are asking to be removed from it. We have to recognize that we are even doing that within the pattern of our lives and pray about it. However, for things to truly change, we must ultimately choose to give that process to Him who knows us even better than we know ourselves. God doesn’t make mistakes, so trust Him through it. (Related post: The Repetitive Pattern)
What did I learn from this? God’s not done with me. Each day that He wakes me up is a day that can be filled with His purpose and for me to do His will. I sure can say that He has been working with me for a long time to get to this point. Is He done with me? No! In fact, I certainly believe that He will continue to open me and pull me and shape me until the day that He calls me home. I am clay in the Potter’s hands and while it isn’t easy going through those steps some days, in the end, I know that it will be perfect because He is! (Related post: Waiting On The Lord)
So, what can you gain from this? If you ever get a chance, watch a video of how a potter works. This will give you some insight into what our Father does for each of us when we trust in Him to see us through. He loves you and knows you and sees so much potential within you! Do you trust Him to get you to where He knows that you will be the happiest? So, I say, step outside of your comfort zone and trust yourself to what the Potter has planned for you. (Related post: A Leap of Faith)
A Joyful Mission 