"Go down to the potter's house and there I will give you my message." - Jeremiah 18:2

We had a potter come in to grief support group a couple weeks ago and it was an amazing experience.  They had the potter making a pot on stage as the narrator went through the process and related it to our relationship with God. 

When Jeremiah went down to the potter's house God did not speak but while watching the potter work Jeremiah was shown how God is like the potter.

When a potter would get the clay in ancient times they would go out to the clay pits and climb in and go to the bottom, because that is where the best clay was.  He would climb down and pull the clay out of the pit, just as God pulls us out of the pit. 

Then before puting the clay on the wheel the potter would wedge the clay.  Watching this process was eye opening.  The clay is folded and pressed to get out the air pockets and lumps.  This was a tough process.  The potter was puting all her strength into pressing out the lumps and air pockets.   God works us, and it can hurt.  There will be pressure, but it is in the beginning of the process that God works in us to make us strong in Him.

Once the clay is put on the wheel it is centered.  Another amazing thing to watch.  As the potter centered the clay it fought her.  She had to keep pressing it and moving it on the wheel until it was in the center of the wheel.  When it was not in the center the clay fought her it wobbled and shook until it was in just the right place on the wheel to be molded and shaped.  I was reminded that I must be centered in Christ before I can be shaped.

The clay is then pierced to create a heart.  It starts with a small heart, but through work it gets bigger, just as God is growing my heart.  I must be pirced to grow my heart.  I must be opened up to God to become an open vessel and be used by Him.

The potter builds up the walls.  This is amazing to watch.  She puts her hands in the heart and works the walls.  She had to be gentle to work the walls up so that they would not collapse.  Just as the potter builds the walls up through work and edification, I am also built up and my heart is made bigger and I become a useful vessel in God's Hands as he continues to work out the flaws.

Finally the pot is fired in the kiln.  Before the pot is fired it is weak and can collapse.  In the fire it is purified and becomes solid rock.  In life we are put through the fire and purified to become strong in Christ. 

I could never tire of watching the potter work.  If you ever get a chance to watch one work, I challenge you to do it.  It is an amazing process.  Hats off to all potters.  The message God has given us through your art is clear.  Thank you.