“So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was making a work on the wheels. Whenever the pot that he was making from the clay became flawed in the hand of the potter, he remade it into another pot, as it pleased the potter to make. Then the word of Adonai came to me, saying: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares Adonai. “Behold, as the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.”
Jeremiah 18:3-6 TLV
Several years ago we had the chance to watch a potter at work. He wet his hands and shaped the clay, watching each turn thoughtfully. It was beautiful until he grabbed the clay off of the center and slung it forcefully back onto the wheel. The sound was loud and unexpected. It was almost as if I could feel the clay hitting the wheel. It was almost painful to hear and watch.
I get the analogy of this passage. G-d is the potter. We are the clay. He can do what He wants. He is constantly making and shaping us.
And I know G-d doesn’t make mistakes – so why does this verse say the pot becomes flawed in His hands? Another version says spoiled. Perhaps the flaw comes from me walking outside of His will. Perhaps it comes when I get distracted and look to another for love and acceptance. There are a hundred causes of the flaws and imperfections that are both seen – by me and others – and that are unseen to me but known by Him. Busy. Pain. Unforgiveness. Shame. Brokenness. Abuse.
So I stay on the wheel, secure in His hand, trying not to wince when parts of me are pinched off, pulled off, and slung back on the wheel. He loves me too much to leave me. He’s coming for an unoffended bride for a son who is worthy. He’s preparing me for the ultimate bridal feast. And as I struggle this week, as I sit in grief and frustration, as I wrestle with belief systems, as I confront my physical weaknesses, the image of me secure in His hands causes me to pause and ponder. The water from tears keeps the clay malleable. The pressing I feel is me being shaped. What I’m feeling is a reminder that He’s at work in my life, so I’ll rest in the discomfort. I’ll lean into the pain. I’ll sit in silence and listen to the cadence of the wheel as it spins knowing that I am safe in the Potter’s hands. He is good. And I will choose to trust Him.
Father – thank You for Your presence. Please calm my anxious mind. Help me to stop resisting what You are doing in me. Guide my steps. May I honor You in all things. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Jeremiah 18-22
August 12, 2022