THE POTTER AND THE CLAY
There’s an instinctual boasting or pride that accompanies many of us in our daily lives. Whether in a business venture, a creative project, educational pursuits, or climbing the corporate ladder, we strive, push, and take pride in how we contribute to our own success. Even in our relationships, when we feel we haven't participated enough, there's often shame; conversely, when we believe we've held up our end, there's pride and boasting. We have a natural inclination toward pride, seeking validation and glory for ourselves.
However, when we consider the imagery in Scripture regarding our position in the kingdom of God—vines and branches, the potter and the clay, the body and the head—there is no room for our striving, pushing, or orchestrating. Branches can’t do anything without being connected to the vine. Clay can’t speak or move unless it’s in the hands of the potter. Even our own bodies—our arms and legs—only move because of commands from our brains. In the kingdom of God, there is no opportunity for our own pride or makeshift glory.
When we think of salvation, we realize we did nothing to earn it. He died for us, even while we hated Him. We can’t bargain for grace; it’s given freely. His mercy is new every morning, and we didn’t even ask for that. In fact, our pride prevents us from admitting that we need new mercy every day.
If glory and pride in your own achievements are what you seek, following Christ will be difficult. If you believe you need to "clean yourself up" before coming to Him, as if to pay for your salvation, you’ll never truly understand how much He loves you. And, how much He loves you, how much He gave you and continues to give you, is what allows you to forsake your pride and glory for Him.
Pride protects and hides, making it about our striving and effort, but that shifts the focus away from Jesus. And in truth, everything is about Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8 [NKJV]
When I first started delving into the Old Testament, I was amazed at the predictability of the Children of Israel’s actions. It seemed so clear: God would save them, they’d remember for a little while, and then they’d stray. Over and over again, the pattern repeated. But then I paused and considered my own life. God would save me, I’d remember His goodness for a while, and then I’d stray. He would remind me of His love, I’d draw close to Him for a time, and then I’d stray again.
The nature of the human heart is both reflective and repetitive throughout Scripture. The flaws we refuse to confront in ourselves out of fear of knowing our own depths are often mirrored to us through the decisions of others in the Bible.
We consider the Children of Israel wanting to return to bondage, Judas betraying Jesus, and even Satan attempting to exalt himself above God. We read these stories and think, "That could never be us," but it already has been. We return to our bondage like a dog returning to its vomit (Proverbs 26:11). We walk Jesus back to the cross every time we willfully deny the power He has given us (Hebrews 6:6). Satan wanted to be God, and how many of us desire to be our own god? How many of us live our lives as if we created ourselves?
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 [amp]
Recognizing these tendencies in ourselves, it's crucial to examine what Scripture says about our heart posture in the kingdom of God and how we are called to align our lives with His will. Let’s consider the following scriptures:
Jeremiah 18:1-4 [NIV] “The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will make you hear My words.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and saw that he was working at the wheel. But the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled by the potter’s hand; so he made it over, reworking it and making it into another pot that seemed good to him.
What is the role of clay? To be formed and made over and over again at the discretion, use, and creative liberty of the potter.
Who is control of how the clay is formed and what it is made for? The potter.
We are all being shaped and molded by something. Consider and reflect whose hands you are being molded by.
Jeremiah 18:5-6 [NIV] “Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” says the Lord. “Look carefully, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.”
What is keeping you from allowing God to make you over, rework, and mold you into who He has called you to be?
What does it mean to you to be in the hands of God?
Isaiah 64:8 [NIV] “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
It impossible to surrender your life to a stranger. If you don’t know God as Father, you won’t rest in His hands.
How can you know Him as father? Through Jesus Christ.
Romans 9:20-21 [NIV] “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?”
What makes you qualified to tell God what to do, how to make you, or what he created you for?
If God is going to be your potter the right you have and freedom you have to be or allow someone else to be your “potter” is fully surrendered.
You cannot fully surrender to anything or anybody you don’t know or trust. If you are having issues remaining in the hands of God it is time to evaluate if you know Him.
Ephesians 2:10 [NIV] “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Who is the we? You and me.
Whose workmanship are we? God’s.
How are we able to do good works? By being created in Christ Jesus.
When were these good works prepared? They were prepared beforehand, in advance, ahead of time. This means that God had already prepared the good works we are meant to do through Christ Jesus—long before we accepted Christ or were even born. These works were set in place for us, and to fulfill them, we must remain connected to the One who prepared them.
1 Corinthians 12:18-20 [AMP] “But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body.
Who has placed and arranged the parts of the body of Christ? God.
How was He able to place and arrange the body? Based on His will and vision that allows for the best balance and function.
There is a designated spot in the body of Christ with our names on it. If I am out of position the body suffers. If you are out of position the body suffers. God knows our location, purpose, and function in the body, we don’t. When we don’t yield to His purpose we cause suffering.
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-4 [AMP]
Just as God has prepared works for us to do, knit us together in our mother’s womb, predestined us, and intentionally placed gifts and talents within us for His purpose, so too has Jesus been preparing a place for us in His Father’s house.
Anytime there is preparation, there is thought and intentionality, creativity and purpose, and there is expectation. God has more in store for us than we could ever imagine. He has set things aside specifically for you and for me. No amount of striving or orchestrating in our own power will help us obtain what He has promised. Saying yes, moving when He calls, stopping when He commands, and listening and yielding to His Spirit is all we need to do.
Let’s consider Jeremiah 18:6 again, making it specific to you, finally giving an answer to His question, “O, beautifully and purposefully designed child of mine, can I not do with you as this potter does?”
As you begin to reflect on this question, take inventory of your own heart. Are you willing to surrender to the hands of the Potter, to be shaped and molded according to His purpose? Can you relinquish your will and pride to be prepared for the good works He has set aside for you? I pray that you find rest in the assurance and knowledge that you are beautifully and purposefully created, destined for specific and divinely designed works, called and chosen based on His love and heart toward you.
