When God sent Jeremiah to the potter’s house – it wasn’t to select a lovely flower vase – he had a big lesson in mind. He wanted to remind him who was in control (Jere. 18:6. ESV).
How often do we forget that God is still in control? I struggled with that for years, trying to direct things my way instead of seeking God, which I didn’t know how to do until one day, on my knees, a broken mess in every sense of the word, I finally gave up and asked God what He wanted. The weight lifted immediately.
I had been carrying a heavy load on my shoulders that was intended only for God to carry. I didn’t realize the mass of it until God took it.
From that day forward, God began to shape me into the vessel He created me to be. It’s a process – He’s not finished yet. I am still learning to let go of temporary things, emotions, and anything that tries to steal my joy and peace. Sometimes, our image of God is too small. God is bigger than all our problems combined. God sees you and cares for you.
The potter and clay imagery continues in Isaiah, where God tells His people not to fear, for He has made them with a purpose and a promise (Isaiah 43:1). God remains with His people (Isaiah 41:10). We did not form ourselves – yet we often insist on trying to know what is best for ourselves. God sees the bigger picture. He knows best and wants the best for us. (God is the best, and He longs for you to come to Him). His timing is perfect. When we try to be the potter of ourselves, we often find heartache and misery.
God formed us, and we can trust in Him as a tree planted by the water – whose leaves remain green even in seasons of heat and drought (Jere. 17:7; Ps. 1:3), because we know who is in command, we can depend on Him to provide all we need (Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:24).
This analogy lends itself to concepts such as trust, obedience, surrender, humility, patience, and acceptance. These things are not always easy, but when we strive to be closer to Christ, there is peace in acknowledging that some things are beyond our immediate understanding. We recognize our limited knowledge of the grand scheme of things and embrace the gifts God gives us with gratitude – one day at a time – the pace of grace.
No one deserves salvation. It comes only from God’s mercy, grace, and love (Rom. 9:22-23). There is freedom in surrendering to God that surpasses all understanding.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17, emphasis added).
Faith Walk Ministries, Inc. 