There is a little story tucked away in Jeremiah about a potter. God instructs Jeremiah to go down to the potter's house and, there, he would "hear my words". (Jeremiah 18:2) Jeremiah does as he is asked and goes and watches the potter make a vessel on the wheel. Sad to say, though, the clay didn't turn out as the potter wished. So, he made it over and this time it was the way he wanted it.
God's words were pretty direct. In verse 6 of the same chapter, God posits the question to Israel, "...cannot I do with you as this potter? ...Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in mine..." God is the all-powerful ruler of the universe. In this story, He is making that very clear.
But on a personal level, how does this relate to us? Pottery making begins with clay. At first, it is just a lump and nothing can be done with it. But, add water and work with it until it is pliable, then it can be made into something. "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word..." (Ephesians 5:26) The Word of God is the Christians' living water. We become usable only when we are immersed in the word--then, we're pliable.
Now the clay is ready. The potter places the clay on the wheel. It has to be exactly in the center, or else, it will tear apart as it is spinning. Same thing happens to believers. They must be "centered" in Christ. "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor." (John 12:26) It's not up to the believer to determine God's will for his life, it's up to Christ. "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." (Psalm 127:1)
Just like the potter, sometimes there are do-overs. The story in Jeremiah is one of these. Sometimes, just like the clay, we spin off in a direction that wasn't meant for us to go. And just like the potter, God picks us up and puts us back on the wheel. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalm 119:9)
Like Pastor Josh said in his sermon, "My address is Route 5, Ava, but someday it'll be Route 5, Heaven." God is the master potter. He created the heavens and the earth in a week. And in the future, He will create "...a new heaven and a new earth..." (Revelation 21:1) I pray that all of us will be there--in heaven.
God's words were pretty direct. In verse 6 of the same chapter, God posits the question to Israel, "...cannot I do with you as this potter? ...Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in mine..." God is the all-powerful ruler of the universe. In this story, He is making that very clear.
But on a personal level, how does this relate to us? Pottery making begins with clay. At first, it is just a lump and nothing can be done with it. But, add water and work with it until it is pliable, then it can be made into something. "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word..." (Ephesians 5:26) The Word of God is the Christians' living water. We become usable only when we are immersed in the word--then, we're pliable.
Now the clay is ready. The potter places the clay on the wheel. It has to be exactly in the center, or else, it will tear apart as it is spinning. Same thing happens to believers. They must be "centered" in Christ. "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor." (John 12:26) It's not up to the believer to determine God's will for his life, it's up to Christ. "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." (Psalm 127:1)
Just like the potter, sometimes there are do-overs. The story in Jeremiah is one of these. Sometimes, just like the clay, we spin off in a direction that wasn't meant for us to go. And just like the potter, God picks us up and puts us back on the wheel. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word." (Psalm 119:9)
Like Pastor Josh said in his sermon, "My address is Route 5, Ava, but someday it'll be Route 5, Heaven." God is the master potter. He created the heavens and the earth in a week. And in the future, He will create "...a new heaven and a new earth..." (Revelation 21:1) I pray that all of us will be there--in heaven.
