The Master Artisan

“Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.” 

Jeremiah 18:6

When we went to Hanoi, we went to Bat Trang, a pottery village well known for making beautiful clay pots and figurines. Their clay was amazingly so soft and pliable I couldn't resist asking for some. But before the clay could get that way, it underwent several stages of softening, sifting and refining. So it is with us.

 

We are clay in the Master Potter's hand, and He is going to make of us the best masterpiece! That's why we go through so much in life! When the clay is finally soft and pliable, the potter puts it on a wheel which goes round and round. Don't you feel sometimes that we go through the same trials again and again? God allows it so we learn whatever it is He wants us to learn! God uses all the circumstances in our life. 

Nothing is ever put to waste. It can be painful, just as all the pinching and scraping and carving is to the clay if it could feel. But a Master artisan ALWAYS loves his clay. 

He is never harsh with his clay. His mind is fully on the clay, coaxing the clay, lovingly caressing it, working with its innate qualities, prodding forms out of it that are beautiful, one of a kind and unique.

And then, comes the big thing. The clay pot is put into the kiln! But this is necessary to harden the clay, or it won't retain its shape and cannot be used. Not an ounce of pain in our life is in vain. God wants to use us. That's why He gave us gifts and talents- so we can be a blessing to others! And we can help build His Kingdom on earth! 

But we are not only useful to Him. He wants to make us beautiful too. Just as the Master artisan paints and glazes his creations, and puts his name on them, so too our God makes us beautiful and calls us His own!

Yes Lord, create something beautiful out of the muck, the mess, the sin in my life!