We are lumps of clay on this wheel called life

In the book of Jeremiah, we read a story in the 18th chapter about the potter and the clay. Jeremiah is instructed to observe the potter as he works the clay on the wheel. As the prophet watches, the vessel the potter is making becomes ruined and the potter is then faced with a decision.

Does he throw the clay away or rework the clay?

It would have been simple to take the messed up clay and scooped it off the wheel, but the potter had another far more merciful idea. He took the seemingly ruined piece and began masterfully remaking it.

You and I are no different from this lump of clay. In fact, that is what we are. We can try as we might to make the outside look as good as possible, but in the end, we are lumps of clay on this wheel called life.

Many people have reasoned that they have tried the whole church thing or the Christian thing, but they just kept failing and got frustrated. That moment of frustration caused by the fact we gave it our best effort and failed, was not and is not the end of the work that God is wanting to do in each and every one of us.

You are valuable and though it is difficult for us to see our worth in the midst of our failure, Jesus Christ sees the vessel we can become. We simply must submit to the master’s hand.

There will be pressure, and there will be kneading, and those things are uncomfortable. They are necessary to mold us and shape us in a vessel of honor and a vessel that can be used to help others.

Many people battle with who they see in the mirror. The battle with ourselves leads us to anxiety, depression and fear.

There is hope. We find that hope in this passage in Jeremiah. God has not thrown you away. He has not written you off as a lost cause. He still sees the person you can become. He sees the vessel of honor that He wants to make you. He has not given up on you. He is extending His hand to you and asking you to come to Him and allow Him to do the work. Will you let Him?

As you are reading this, His Holy Spirit is prompting you to come back to Him. Take the time again and make where ever you are an altar. Talk to Him and then listen. He doesn’t throw the clay away. Go back to church. Pick up your Bible. Kneel in prayer. Call out to God where you are and expect the affirming hand of the savior.