This past Sunday we were blessed to hear a guest speaker at our church. He gave me a lot to think about, but I really got excited when he referred to the potter and clay...

On summer vacations to Colorado, my family and I would often stop in a small town nestled in the mountains where the village's shops were operated by local artisans. One of my favorite stores was owned by a potter. He would be sitting at his wheel, turning out piece after piece of beautiful pottery. I never ceased to be amazed at how he could take an ugly clump of clay and turn it into something of such beauty and value.

Through the years my parents made several purchases from the artist. Some pieces were functional and used daily in our kitchen. Others were kept in a place of honor on one of my mother's living room shelves for guests to admire. But regardless of how they were used, they all reminded us of our family trips and their creator.

If you are not familiar with how a potter creates a piece, in over-simplified words, the lump of clay is taken into the potter's hands and kneaded repeatedly until the clay is uniform in texture - no hard lumps or air pockets. The clay is then thrown onto the potter's wheel, and shaped by the artist's hands as the clay spins around and around on the wheel. As he works, the clay is kept moist by sprinkling water on the form. If during the course of the molding the potter feels or sees a flaw, he will remove the clay from the wheel, re-knead it, and once again throw it back on the wheel to work it into the perfect shape.

Did you know that each one of us is like a piece of pottery? "But now, O Lord, You are our father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and we all are the work of Your hand." (Isaiah 64:8) Jeremiah 8:16 tells us that "like clay in the hand of the potter, so we are in His hand." Each one of us starts out as an ugly "clump" of clay until God, our potter and creator, shapes and molds us into a vessel of value and beauty.

I always thought it was so neat that no matter how many pieces of pottery the artist created, not one was the same as any other. So it is with God. He has created and designed each one of us to be unique and special. Some of us may be the "ornate" vase that is admired by all. Some of us may be the "functional" pitcher that is used in the everyday routine. I enjoy how The Message Bible says it: "Isn't it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?" (Romans 9:21). Regardless of our shape, size, color or function, God has made us for a purpose and we need to trust that our "design" is the best one for us.

I have to admit though that there are times when I wish I didn't have to be re-worked so much. I mean, it hurts to be "thrown" on the wheel time and time again. And all that spinning! That's when I want to scream out, "Stop the wheel! I'm getting dizzy!  Aren't You finished with me yet?"  But I am so thankful that God loves me so much that He is willing to take the time to remold and shape me into the very best. I'm so thankful that when He sees a flaw in me He doesn't leave it and just settle for "second best."   "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Just as the potter keeps the clay moist so it doesn't dry out and crack as he is working it, God gives me His Word - The Living water. Staying in the Word keeps me soft and pliable. It gives me hope and the assurance that even though I'm going through trials or testing, I am still in His hands.

Maybe you're going through some rough times right now. Maybe it feels like you've been thrown onto the wheel and are spinning out of control. Rejoice! You are being molded into one of God's precious vessels - a piece of great value and beauty. Allow Him to form you into the pottery that will serve Him best.

If you don't know the Master Creator, why not give yourself into His hands today. You were not placed here to be an ugly clump of clay that is of no use to anyone. Ask Jesus to take away the "lumps" and the "air pockets" - the sin - that is keeping you from becoming the vessel He desires you to be.  It's so much better than trying to be something you weren't meant to be.