You are the Potter, I am the Clay

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words."  So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel.  And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.  Then the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD.  Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.  Jeremiah 18:1 - 6

Clay doesn't look like much and it isn't terribly useful for anything, but a master craftsman knows it's potential.  

He has a design and a purpose in mind when he throws a lump of clay to the wheel.

The clay must be exactly centered on the wheel or the vessel will be difficult to work with and lopsided.  Slowly, methodically the craftsman will press down on the clay as the wheel spins, moving it to exact center before working it back up and out into the vessel he has purposed.  When the vessel is shaped, he may then use the rotation of the wheel to create further designs or patterns to add to it's beauty.

You turn things upside down!  Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, "He did not make me"; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding"?  Isaiah 29:16

In order to remove the vessel from the wheel where it first took shape, the craftsman cuts it off using a thin wire.  A tool is used because it is stuck tight to the wheel.  Trying to pull it off without the wire would damage the pottery. Sharp tools are then used to carve, etch and create designs.  Images or imprints may be pressed into the clay.  Glazes may be applied to enhance and beautify the carved designs.  If the craftsman holds the vessel carelessly or applies the tools too roughly, the vessel will bend or crack under his heavy hands.  

Finally, the craftsman puts his mark, his signature on the vessel.

But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.  Isaiah 64:8

The final step is firing, which can range from 200 - 2500 degrees.  The firing process hardens the clay so it can be used.  It bonds the glaze to the surface of the vessel and makes the design permanent, the finished masterpiece of the craftsman.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."  2 Corinthians 4:6 - 7

It was only recently when viewing these videos, that I contemplated all of the deeper meaning that 'potter' and 'clay' have in scripture.  As I considered the process of creating a finished work, I went back in time to the pottery studio in college.  I loved the feel of the clay, the rotation of the wheel and the way a project would take shape with some slight pressure of my hands here, a little movement of my fingers there.  There is a beautiful rhythm and grace to it, that I'll be honest, I never felt close to mastering, but was thrilling none-the-less.  This is how I imagine the LORD forming us from the time we are conceived, though He had us in mind long before then.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  
Psalm 139:13

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...  Jeremiah 1:5

We enter this world fully formed and beautiful.  

Beautiful, because we bear the image of the Master Craftsman. 

From that time forward He begins to mold and shape, carve and etch. Sometimes it can be painful and we don't understand what He is doing or why, but He is the Potter.  He has a planned design for each of us and because of His love, because of His glory, He cannot allow us to just sit on the wheel. Carefully, He removes the pieces that don't belong to His finished work.  He applies the glaze, which seals us so that we can be used for His plan and purpose.  Finally, the fires enable us to become firm.  We can no longer be manipulated or marred, because we are the completed masterpiece.

It can be easy to become so focused on the challenging transformation process of the vessel or even the pottery itself, that we miss the true beauty.  The design, skill, and care of the Master Craftsman, the treasure that lies within the pottery, these are what make it truly beautiful.  The clay would have no shape, no value, no beauty, but for His loving hand.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  Psalm 139:14