He is the Potter

But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Isaiah 64: 8 KJV

Honey & Clay... such a simple, yet powerful, title. The first part was a no brainer for me after the revelation I had reading Proverbs 16:24. If you haven't read that post yet click here to catch up (you won't regret it). Today, I want to share with you some God-given insight on the second half of the title. Clay.

When the name came to me, it was like a light bulb went off. Of course! He's the potter and I'm allowing Him to mold me as he sees fit. Absolutely fits the purpose He has given me for the blog. Well, let me tell you. He has given me so much more to share with you than that. When I tell you, He continues to amaze me every day, this is no exception.

In Jeremiah 18, God tells Jeremiah to go to the potter's house to hear His words. There Jeremiah sees the potter working on a vessel and it became marred, so he reforms and makes the vessel how he wants it to be. God tells Jeremiah that Israel is like the clay in the potter's hands and God can do the same for them.

I read a bunch of verses that also reference our resemblance to clay. I'll provide a list of them at the end. But why clay? What is it about clay that makes such a good analogy for us when it comes to Jesus? Let's talk about it for a minute.

Let's start with the medium itself. Clay comes from the earth. We were created from the dust of the earth. Clay is very moldable. Which is why it's used for creating various items. Have you ever created pottery or seen someone create pottery? While they are working with the clay, they have to ensure they maintain the moisture content to keep the clay pliable so it doesn't dry out and break in the forming process. Just like we need to maintain our relationship with Jesus (The Living Water). He gives us the strength to make it through each day.

So what happens to the clay that isn't being used? You know, the clay that might just be sitting on a shelf or in a box. Maybe it hasn't been worked with at all, and it's just a blob of clay. Or maybe it's a piece the potter started working on, but for whatever reason, the vision for the piece wasn't going how the potter wanted, so they set the incomplete vessel on the shelf to continue working on later because they still see the potential.

If clay just sits, it will eventually dry out over time. Do you know what the process is called when a potter makes a piece or pieces of clay workable again? Reclaiming. 

The potter reclaims the clay by adding water to the dried out pieces. He actually will soak the clay in the water to rehydrate the clay. Once the clay is completely broken down in the water, it is strained to relveal a workable medium. The clay is then put on a plaster slab to allow for the excess moisture to dissipate for a while. Once the excess moisture is gone, the clay is ready to be molded into the desired vessel by the potter.

When we aren't spending time with Jesus, we are putting ourselves on a shelf. We are allowing ourselves to dry out. Maybe you don't know Jesus and you've never put yourself in the Potter's hand so you might be the clay sitting idle waiting for the forming to start. The good news is, you don't have to stay there. I think it's cool they use the term reclaiming to describe reviving old clay because that's exactly what Jesus does when we accept Him into our hearts. He reclaims us.

Through reclaiming, we add Jesus to our lives (The Living Water). By allowing ourselves to 'soak' in His presence, our clay (the worldly flesh) can be broken down. This is definitely not an easy journey. So I find it fitting that slip is referred to as a 'mush' in some of the reading I've done. Once we've turned to mush to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, we will be strained to eliminate the excess. This is when the Holy Spirit may convict us on our choices. You may even start to notice some changes in people you associate with. Jesus is straining out the things in your life that are no longer serving a purpose. Things that may not be good for you.

A conviction is something revealed to you which evokes a very firm belief about whatever it may be. You might be convicted to stop doing something. You could even be convicted to start doing something or maybe to start living a different way. It's important to note, God will never make you feel guilt or shame. His convictions are rooted in love. Think about how you would talk to someone you loved if you wanted better for them than their current situation. You wouldn't want them to feel shame, you would want them to feel love and to make the choice because they see a better way. If you feel shame or guilt, that isn't of God. In which case you should take it to Him for guidance. I also feel it's important to note that everyone's walk with God is different. Your convictions are yours and yours alone. Just because God convicts you of something, doesn't mean it's true for everyone around you.

Once the clay has been strained, it gets transferred to a plaster slab to rest and allow any excess moisture to be eliminated . Plaster is used in the medical field for a multitude of purposes ranging from covering and protecting minor cuts to casts that hold broken bones in place. You not only get to rest in His presence, but you get to experience His peace and heal from all life has put you through. This is where forgiveness may happen; where anger can be released. Even where the guilt and shame are left behind.

The only time clay cannot be reclaimed is when it has been put in the kiln to be fired. Once the pottery has been fired, it is no longer considered clay. It's turned into a durable ceramic, and for all intensive purposes the clay has "died." It is no longer soft or pliable and never can be again. So, what does that mean?

Well, if you're reading this, you aren't dead. Which is great news because that means there's still hope. You have an opportunity to be reclaimed! You've just sat too long outside of the presence of the Lord. He is ready and He's waiting to finish the great works He has started with you.

Are you ready to be reclaimed? Are you ready to soak in the Living Water and rest in His peace? He's ready and He's waiting. He wants to heal you and He wants to mold you.

What will you do this week to be moldable?

Share this with a friend and leave me a comment if you loved this as much as I did. If you would like additional support with prayer, please send me a message and I will add you to my prayer list.

God bless!

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Verses for reference:

• Jeremiah 18:1-10

• Isaiah 64:8

• Isaiah 45:9

• Romans 9:20-26