A Masterpiece In His Hands

A few weeks ago some friends invited us to see a powerful husband and wife ministry called “The Potter's Field”. This couple travels all over the US and abroad to share their amazing testimony of how God broke them and remade them into what they are today. What makes their story so unique is the fact that the husband, Micheal, had been a skilled potter long before he was saved. He now uses those skills to illustrate and teach biblical lessons, making them come alive right on stage!

My first thought was this should be a really interesting presentation. I've never sat and watched a potter make pottery in person. But little did I know it was going to be so much more. We got to hear the story of Jeremiah taught in such a powerful way as Micheal designed that vase right in front of our eyes.

When he started to make the pot it was only a lump of clay in the center of the wheel. It was so interesting to watch the techniques he used as he poured water on the clay and constantly pushed and pulled both inside and out with all his strength. I was amazing as I watched how many times he wrapped his hands and arms around that clay. Spin after spin it began to change and transform before our very eyes. In the end, it hardly took any pressure at all to shape it because it had become so soft and pliable.

Isn't it wonderful that God teaches us so many lessons by using the familiar, common, and ordinary things that are all around us? When God called Jeremiah down to the Potter's house that day, I'm sure he was wondering, "What is God trying to teach me now?"

I was thinking the same thing as I sat there in the service that night watching and listening. Yes, God revealed some deep things to me that night, and I would like to share some of them with you today.

The first thing that got my attention was how plain and ordinary that lump of clay was when he started. I could not begin to envision the beautiful pot that it was destined to become in the end. I felt so grateful that God is able to see way beyond our present sinful and fallen nature. His plan is to mold us into the image of His beautiful Son. We must ask God to help us to see ourselves as He sees us, not the way we are right now. God sees the finished work! Can you?

The next thing that struck me was the way he wrapped his arms and even pressed the clay against his body. He was intimately involved in the process of making that pot. Gosh, he got so dirty and there was clay all over him by the time he finished. He continually rubbed, shaped and formed the clay as the wheel spun around and around. As I watched, I felt a little ashamed when I remembered all the times I've walked through difficulties and trials, and thought that God was so distant. Yet all the while, He was right there with His arms around me holding me so close. Truly He is so faithful and has promised never to leave or forsake us.

And then there was the water. As the pot kept spinning on the wheel, he was constantly pouring water over it as he molded the clay. He shared how like the water on the clay God’s Word washes us, and how it is used to soften and transform our hearts. It exposes the hard lumps, which can then be easily removed. Without the Water of the Word we will become

dry,

hard

and unpliable.

But as we surrender to the Potter’s hand and allow Him to pour the Water over our lives, He is able to shape us into a beautiful vessel of honor. One made in the very image of His precious son, Jesus.

Something to ponder:

Are you willing to yield to God’s powerful touch in your life today?

Will you allow Him to take charge of your life, make you and mold you into the image He sees fit?

The choice is yours.

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