Just a Lump
When I look at beautiful pottery, I have to remind myself the pieces didn’t begin with beauty. The amazing finished product we enjoy began as just a lump of clay.
The potter worked on that lump, molded it, added water, formed it, kneaded it, and even crushed it when the piece didn’t conform to his original design.
It’s a messy process.
The clay has no input on how it is formed, or what the end product will be. The clay’s role is to be a moldable lump in the hands of the potter. The potter has complete control and knows what type of vessel he needs. He has the experience, knowledge, and ability to form the lump into exactly the useable piece that meets his need. Each piece has a different and specific purpose, and the time it takes to form it will vary depending on the intended outcome.
I’m sure you’ve already discerned where this is heading, but humor me as I continue and spell it out. God is the potter, and human beings are just lumps of clay in His capable hands.
Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
God has all power and authority to mold His creation into whatever vessel He sees fit. He knows what He needs to fulfill His plan and purpose in this world. The clay doesn’t know. The clay is just a lump. I am just a lump. You are just a lump. We will never be beautiful, or useable, until the Master Potter puts us on His wheel, wraps His hands around us, and shapes us in the way He knows is best.
So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:3-4
If you’re feeling squeezed, crushed, kneaded, or broken, take heart. It could be that you’re being molded on the Potter’s wheel, and after the refining fire has been applied, you will be a beautiful vessel, ready for the Master’s use.
If you have the time, listen to this song and let it minister to your soul. Trust that God is molding you and will lead you, use you, and fill you as you give your life to Him.
Join the conversation. Comment below and share the purpose you know God has shaped you for.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
4 Comments
Lynn Moore
God has a purpose & a plan for all us “cracked pots!” 🌺🌺🌺
Deena Adams
Yes ma’am he does! Aren’t you so glad?
Evelyn Wagoner
Beautiful devotional. I’m a bit of a cracked vessel at times, but–praise God–He still sees me as useable!
Deena Adams
Amen Evelyn. I think maybe our God delights even more when His cracked vessels are used for His glory. That’s good news for me! Thanks for joining the conversation.