In The Potter's Hands

4 The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. (Jeremiah 18:4-6)

The clay on the potter's wheel is malleable and, with water and pressure, it can be shaped and reshaped as many times as the potter desires - it's never destroyed, only remade. Only when it's cured by the fire does it become hardened, brittle, breakable. Through the prophet, Jeremiah, God told the people of Israel that if they would turn away from the wrong they were doing God would reshape them into the people they had the potential to be.

We, too, can avoid becoming hardened by the fires of life by turning to God with all that we are. The rain storms that seem intended for our destruction can simply keep us pliable so that we can be molded into vessels of God's grace, justice, and love. The pressures of life can shape our hearts for service rather than destroy us. We are safe in the potter's hands even when we're uncomfortable. We're just being remade.

5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. 13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. (Psalm 139:5-6,13-14)