The Bible often uses references of God being the potter and us, the clay. I always thought that was a sweet reference, implying that God makes something beautiful from our empty form. And, as a Christian, it does leave a warm feeling to think that God is shaping us into a beautiful work of art, that we are being sculpted and molded into something that He will stand back and call good. Yet, I have learned recently that this interpretation is only a glimpse into the depth of that text.
I started taking a pottery class several weeks ago and have learned quite a bit about the nature of clay. I have learned that clay is stubborn and difficult to shape. I have learned the intense amount of determination and focus it takes to sculpt a piece of clay. I have learned that in order to have a fighting chance at getting the clay to a pleasing point, you must first prepare it and that each careful step gets you closer to achieving the goal. And sometimes in spite of your best efforts, the clay refuses to comply with the direction that you are trying to take it. And there are moments that, regardless of your effort and focus, you need to just stop what you are doing and begin anew. That process is comprised of removing the class from the wheel, placing it aside and allowing a week for the clay to dry to a point that it is workable again, then you wash over it with a sponge and start again.
Obviously, the sermon illustrations could go on for days....
So now, I laugh at the reference of the Potter and the clay. Although it still reflects God's desire to take our empty form and create a beautiful work of art, it also points out that we are stubborn and sometimes fight the best intentions of the Potter to mold us well. And there are points that we fight so hard that there is nothing to do but take a moment, regroup and allow that cleansing water to pour over us so the Potter's work can begin again.
I started taking a pottery class several weeks ago and have learned quite a bit about the nature of clay. I have learned that clay is stubborn and difficult to shape. I have learned the intense amount of determination and focus it takes to sculpt a piece of clay. I have learned that in order to have a fighting chance at getting the clay to a pleasing point, you must first prepare it and that each careful step gets you closer to achieving the goal. And sometimes in spite of your best efforts, the clay refuses to comply with the direction that you are trying to take it. And there are moments that, regardless of your effort and focus, you need to just stop what you are doing and begin anew. That process is comprised of removing the class from the wheel, placing it aside and allowing a week for the clay to dry to a point that it is workable again, then you wash over it with a sponge and start again.
Obviously, the sermon illustrations could go on for days....
So now, I laugh at the reference of the Potter and the clay. Although it still reflects God's desire to take our empty form and create a beautiful work of art, it also points out that we are stubborn and sometimes fight the best intentions of the Potter to mold us well. And there are points that we fight so hard that there is nothing to do but take a moment, regroup and allow that cleansing water to pour over us so the Potter's work can begin again.
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