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, where he was working at his wheel. 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
Benjamin Disraeli once said concerning life, “Youth is a blunder, maturity is a struggle, and old age is a regret.” Let me tell you why that’s certainly not true for those in Christ.
The ancient art of making pottery is virtually unchanged even today. It’s been my privilege to visit Israel and to see this art practiced just as it was thousands of years ago.
A potter will take a helpless, lifeless lump of clay, knead it, and squeeze it until it’s soft and pliable. And then, when he gets it just right, he takes that piece of clay and does something called throwing, where he places it on a spinning table.
As that clay is placed upon that turning wheel, the potter’s hands begin to pressure it and work it until he makes something beautiful out of that old, ugly piece of clay.
Here’s the lesson God wanted Jeremiah to hear: He is the true master craftsman. He is a potter who is making something beautiful out of every life. He will take the old ugly mistakes and sins and make them into something entirely new!
Benjamin Disraeli was wrong because when you truly know God, you can live victoriously! So, whatever the ugliness is in your life, be assured that through the blood of Christ, God molds you and makes you into something beautiful!
LIFE’S BLUNDERS AND SINS DON’T HAVE TO STICK WITH YOU FOREVER BECAUSE IN CHRIST, GOD WILL FORM YOU INTO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL!
