Flawed Clay

I went down to the potter’s house and saw him working at the wheel. But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand; so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

Jeremiah 18:3-5   Berean Study Bible

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As part of my night-time routine, I usually turn on the One Year Audio Bible and listen as I drift off to sleep. One particular night, as I listened and attempted to let go of the day’s headlines, I heard these words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, “The vessel became flawed in his hands, so he formed it into another vessel.”

The words jolted me awake, and lingered in my heart as I drifted back to sleep. “Became flawed… formed into another vessel.”

Flawed Clay. That’s me all right.

It spoke so loudly to me that I awoke the next morning still absorbing its meaning. To me. I realize the Lord was specifically providing an illustration to the nation of Israel, yet we are always to ask the Lord how His Word applies to us as well.

How often I am that flawed lump of clay. Feeling like I’ve blown it or am of little use because of past failures or past wounds or lack of ability, etc. Yet, like that flawed lump of clay, He willingly puts me, puts us, back on the wheel, to reshape, rework and remold. Such patience and tender love as He reshapes these lumps of flawed clay.  His ability to take a mess and turn it to something beautiful is beyond me.

Have you ever felt like you’ve blown it? Gone too far? That maybe you’ve somehow missed God’s will for your life? Perhaps, like me, you have lost count at the number of times you’ve felt like that flawed vessel on the potter’s wheel. A lump of clay, marred by imperfections, feeling beyond use to the Lord or those around you. But. Oh how I love this…He reshapes, He snips and molds and personally reworks these lumps of clay into vessels of honor. Lives transformed by the Master’s hand, ready for use.

If you’ll let Me, I’ll use your trials to make you into someone I can use in the lives of others to show them that no matter where they’ve been, no matter how deep the hole, no matter how painful the trial, there’s hope. There is victory.

–        Kay Arthur

Father, I am so thankful…so grateful… that You are willing to rework and remold and cause this flawed vessel to be of use to You and Your Kingdom…for the glory of Your great name,  and in His matchless name – Jesus. Amen

Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus

According to God’s Word, He is more than able to toss us back on the wheel and reshape us until we are all He created us to be. Let’s be willing to stay on the wheel and let Him do His work!