A Visit to the Potter's House

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2018-22&version=NIV

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.’ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as it seemed best for him.
Then the word of the Lord came to me: ‘O house of Israel, can I not do the same with you as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.’ - Jeremiah 18:1-6

Take the above words and substitute your name in place of ‘house of Israel’. Through our adoption by the bold of Christ we are part of the house of Israel and these words apply directly to our lives. With that in mind, let’s talk a little about Jeremiah’s visit to the potter’s house, what he saw, and the words God spoke to him.

First, note that God didn’t give directions to the potter’s house or say which potter. That makes me conclude that Jeremiah was well-acquainted with this potter. Perhaps he was the village potter, or perhaps he was the potter God knew Jeremiah commissioned to make his pots because Jeremiah knew exactly where to go. Either way, I am thinking that the potter was a master craftsman. It could be likely that people could look at a piece of pottery and recognize his hand-work by the quality and craftsmanship. It just makes sense that God would send him to a master-craftsman, an artist, to make he point clear.

Jeremiah says that he saw the potter working at the wheel. I imagine he watched him for a while. Perhaps God whispered to him to note the care that the potter used in making the pot. He may have noted the creativity that went into each piece. As he watches, picture him seeing the potter shake his head, mumbling under his breath in disappointment when he notices that the pot was marred. This was not what he intended the pot to be.

This master-craftsman wouldn’t dream of selling a pot that was marred. This pot, after all, represents him – his work, his skill, his expertise, his creativity. He doesn’t just throw away the clay and start over, for he knows the clay still has value and that it is still usable. He recognizes that the clay has the potential to become everything he dreamed it would be when he started. He knows that this clay can be shaped into a pot that is usable, a pot that is strong, a pot that is a reflection of his work and therefore a reflection of him.

Instead, the craftsman lovingly begins the process of reshaping the pot. It very carefully and gently cups his hands around it as it spins on his wheel. He patiently applies the right kind of pressure at the right time. His eyes shine as the pot begins to take shape, because his vision for everything the pot would be is beginning to form. He is a master-craftsman, and he is creating a masterpiece.

Our sovereign God is wise, my friends. Trust him - He is a master-craftsman who has a vision for your life. You are safe in his hands as they lovingly shaped you. Let him have his way with you – he is making you into work that reflects Him.

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels