By Sonya Camille
I’ve always wanted to try my hand at pottery (pun intended). It looked easy enough to me. You get a ball of clay, place it on a wheel, press the pedal to initiate the transformation process, and then start making something. Well, nothing could be further from reality. Preparing the clay well before you place the well-formed ball on the wheel involves prep work. First, you must carefully apply firm yet gentle pressure to your clay before forming it. Then, there is a technique involved in carefully molding the delicate clay. This technique must be carefully followed to form your piece correctly. The “technique” must be followed all while keeping the clay moist with water. I’m bustin’ a bit of knowledge to y’all right now. Yup, I’m flexin’ a bit as all of this new knowledge was acquired from my first pottery class just last week. I’m a fast learner, and I listened so well that I’m basically a pro now (insert laugh).
My kids surprised me for Mother’s Day with the most thoughtful and beautiful gifts. Brunch, a three-hour pottery class, and precious time with my forever babies, now young adult children, were my gifts for Mother’s Day. It was truly the best gift ever! I enjoyed learning and laughing, and this last one may surprise you. I enjoyed the relaxation element as well. Soft music playing in the distance or just the soft whistle from the spinning wheel was a welcomed stillness. I sat and formed my pottery only with my thoughts and maybe a gentle California breeze coming in through a nearby open window or door to keep the company of my thoughts. I was there with my two no longer little loves. We sat together and formed our clay. Quietly, each in our thoughts and enjoying the still moments we experienced together, all while sitting next to the ones we love most. It was indeed sweet and relaxing! So relaxing and so enjoyable that I promised myself I would have an art room in my next house. Call it my new empty nester, middle-aged obsession, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
Throughout history, pottery has symbolized craftsmanship, creativity, and human ingenuity. The delicate art of molding clay into beautiful vessels and sculptures has captivated cultures across the globe. However, beyond its aesthetic appeal, pottery holds profound spiritual significance that resonates with ancient texts, and the Bible. I find the biblical metaphor of the Potter and the Clay beautiful and fascinating. The symbolism revealed a loving picture and many profound truths through its depiction of the relationship between God and His children.
Potter and the Clay
As I explored the symbolism a bit more closely, this is what I discovered. I’ll call it my 5-Point Biblical Reflection on Divine Design. A big title that simply means the five things I discovered about the metaphor of God and man as it relates to the potter and clay. I hope you find it as fascinating as I did.
5-Point Biblical Reflection on Divine Design.
- The Divine Potter:
- In the book of Jeremiah, we encounter an interesting analogy of God as the Potter and humanity as the clay. In Jeremiah 18:6, God instructs the prophet, saying, “Can I not do with you as this potter does?” This imagery emphasizes that God, who has the final authority in each of our lives, like a skilled potter, has the power to shape and mold our lives according to His divine plan.
2. The Moldable Clay:
- Just as clay is pliable in the hands of a potter, we, as human beings, are called to be receptive to God’s transformative work in our lives. The Bible often talks about people as clay that constantly needs shaping and refinement. Isaiah 64:8 states, “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.” This acknowledgment invites us to surrender our wills to God and allow Him to mold us into vessels that reflect His purpose and character.
3. The Process of Shaping:
- Pottery-making involves carefully preparing, molding, and firing the clay to create a final masterpiece. Similarly, God’s work in our lives is a journey that requires our active participation. As the Potter, God tenderly molds and shapes us through various life experiences, challenges, and triumphs. These shaping moments, although at times painful, serve to refine our character, strengthen our faith, and align us with God’s purposes.
4. Embracing Imperfection:
- Pottery is rarely perfect. It may have minor and sometimes significant flaws, imperfections, or irregularities that are an inherent part of the creative process. Likewise, as clay crafted by God’s hands, we are not exempt from imperfection. Just remember, it is through our weaknesses and vulnerabilities that God’s strength is made perfect in us(2 Corinthians 12:9). We are reminded that God uses flawed people to showcase His glory, revealing His transformative power in human frailty.
5. Yielding to the Divine Design:
- As we surrender ourselves to God’s loving hands, we must trust in His wisdom and divine design for our lives. Just as a potter crafts the clay with specific purposes in mind, God has a unique plan for each one of us. We should resist the temptation to resist or question God’s work but instead embrace the beauty of His craftsmanship unfolding within us.
I remember sitting in church listening to the choir sing “Potter’s House.” It was one of my favorite songs; the words always stuck with me. The first verse immediately caught your attention with the words, “In case your situation has turned upside down, and all your dreams are shattered, and you’re all broken inside. You don’t have to stay in the shape that you’re in because the Potter wants to put you back together again.” (see the link below to listen to this song) I always pictured God the Potter sitting at his heavenly wheel, molding a piece of muddy, slightly messy clay. The clay, of course, is meant to symbolize you and me. We are a broken, messed up people. We are a people plagued with depression, anxiety, sickness, mental health challenges, addictions, and brokenness. We are in a world where relationship problems in our homes, on our jobs, with our children, and between husband and wife are prevalent. Where divorce, financial struggles, war, climate change issues, government breakdown, and world issues stress most. As a society, we are confused, scared, and more lonely than ever. There is abuse, extreme, unexplained violence, and unrest everywhere. We worry about our safety, our children’s safety, tomorrow’s stock prices, and our lack of knowledge on what’s to come. As a country, we are more in debt and can afford less. We are unhealthy, status-driven, money-hungry, and fearful, and statistics show that over 90% of Americans have this overwhelming sense that something is terribly wrong in our country and our world. Face it, we are, as a world, in desperate need of a loving Savior! We need help, and we need it now!
I have good news for you; there is someone who can mend all of the broken, messed up pieces of our life. His name is Jesus! I’m here to tell you that He can take your deformed, colorless, messy ball of clay life and mold it into a beautiful masterpiece. He can save you if you simply cry out to Him and ask Him. I’m so happy that God can mold our ugly broken pieces of life and smooth out all the bumps and bruises we sustain in this life. He can lovingly put us back together again. He is the Potter, my friends, and we are the clay!
The Potter and the Clay metaphor serves as a profound reminder of our relationship with God. It highlights His sovereignty, creativity, and transformative power in our lives. As we yield to His molding, we can experience the joy of becoming vessels that reflect His love, grace, and purpose. So, may we embrace our role as clay in the Potter’s hands, trusting in His perfect design and finding fulfillment in becoming vessels that bring glory to Him. Won’t you trust Him with your life today? It doesn’t matter what you have done, your background, what your mother did, what your Father did, how far you have wandered away from God, or what was done to you. He, your Heavenly Father, is lovingly waiting to put you back together again. I’ll say it again; the Potter wants to put you back together again!
If you want more information on how Jesus can help change your life, situation, family, and future, please email me at sonyacamillecontact@gmail.com, and I will gladly send you more information.
-SONG LINK: The Potter’s House:
-Biblical Reference: Jeremiah 18:6 – “Can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord.
–Biblical Reference: Isaiah 64:8- “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.”