This morning in my time with God I was reminded that Jesus often taught truths by using parables, or stories that teach a spiritual lesson. Personally, I learn very well through the use of visual aids and pictures, and I find that God uses symbols or every day items to teach me something. Today was no exception. . .
If you’ve ever watched one of those fantastic artisans, making pottery on instagram or youtube, you know how easy they make it look. You must also realize how tedious it must really be to make sure it is done “just so.”
In God’s word, a correlation with pottery is used to describe us and God.
But now, O Lord,
You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand.Isaiah 64:8
We are the clay, you are the potter. The potter knows what he wants to make before he places the clay on the wheel.
He knows how much water to use, and at what speed to spin the wheel. He knows what tools he will need to use to make the clay become what it was intended to be, how much pressure will need to be applied to the clay to mold it into
something functional,
something beautiful,
something amazing.
It’s purpose.
The potter understands he will need to use the tools to remove the unneeded parts. The removal is necessary, the pressure intentional.
See the pressure is not just one sided. The potter uses BOTH hands. One to press and mold, while the other SUPPORTS. The shaping happens, yet the hand of the potter never leaves the clay. Pressing down on the inside of the clay yet all the while raising it up at the same time.
Just when it looks like the potter has done all he needs to help the clay function in its true purpose. He knows that it must undergo something else to complete the process.
Did you know that Diamonds start out as a piece of carbon? A diamond is formed when it is exposed to EXTREME pressure and HIGH temperatures. Clay is no different.
The potter uses HIGH heat to draw out the remaining moisture (the impurities, the weak spots) that would otherwise cause a piece to be unstable, and NOT be able to withstand the gravity of its purpose.
Just like us, a lump of clay in its beginning form is unable to do much more than just “exist” It has no real identity, just a lump of clay, incapable of much.
However, that same clay being subjected to a process of prodding, poking, molding, and yes even the intense pressure and extreme heat is essential to being transformed into what the potter intended. . . a masterpiece.
Romans 5:3 (amp) And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Brandi M Bell 