Clay in God’s Hands
From Jeremiah 18:1–11 “Like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine, house of Israel!”
When Jeremiah was sent to the potter’s house, he saw more than a man working with clay—he saw a picture of God’s patient, purposeful work with His people. The prophet describes the potter shaping and reshaping the clay when it didn’t turn out right the first time. God reminded Jeremiah that just as clay is in the potter’s hand, so are we in His.
This scripture paints a picture of both God’s sovereignty and our freedom. The clay doesn’t always cooperate. Our choices, our sins, and sometimes even our stubbornness can resist God’s shaping. But here’s the good news: God doesn’t discard us. He remakes us. Grace gives us another chance on the wheel.
I remember when I took a pottery class back in middle school. What stuck with me was not how fun it was to shape the clay (although that was great), but how much time went into just preparing the clay before you could even begin to mold it. You had to knead it, press out air bubbles, get it just the right texture—otherwise it would fall apart later. It took patience, and honestly, I didn’t have much of that at the time. By the end of my masterpiece-making career, I think I managed to create… an ashtray. (Though I’m not sure my teacher or my parents were exactly impressed.)
But God? He’s not shaping us into ashtrays. He’s not spending all that time preparing and molding us for something cheap or forgettable. God is preparing us to be vessels of God’s grace, carriers of God’s Spirit, and instruments of God’s love. The work God does in us isn’t rushed or careless; it’s intentional, holy, and deeply personal.
If preparing the clay takes so much effort in a middle school pottery class, imagine how much care God takes in shaping your life. The struggles, delays, and frustrations you may feel right now may simply be God’s way of pressing out the air bubbles—making sure you’ll be strong enough for the purpose God’s creating you for.
So the next time you feel like your life is spinning on the wheel, remember: the Potter hasn’t given up on you. God’s still shaping, still smoothing, still preparing. And God’s vision for you is far greater than anything you can imagine.
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
Prayer: Lord, keep me pliable in Your hands. Even when I resist, reshape me. Even when I feel marred, remake me. Thank You that Your purpose for me is far greater than what I can see today. Amen.
