Jars of Clay

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

"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

This past week I experienced making traditional pottery here.  It was a great learning experience both about the culture here and also in a spiritual way.  God reminded me of truths in His Word and it came to life in a new way for me as I formed the clay pot myself and saw first hand different aspects of making pottery and how He relates it to our lives in Scripture.  We began with a lump of clay which we began to form and stretch.  As I worked on it (through many different steps) I took away and added more clay as needed.  I had to get my hands dirty in the process.  It was not something that I could do from a distance and just watch the jar come into shape on its own.  It took me as the "potter" to form this bowl/jar/pot whatever you choose to call it.  God as the master potter did not just leave us as a lump.  He is intimately involved in the details of our lives.  He forms us with His hands - He cares about the details of our lives. 

The lady who was showing me the steps pointed out how all of our jars looked different (it was a class so there were several of us making pottery).  Each one was unique.  God forms each of us uniquely to glorify Him.  We are all different and He has gifted us with things that would most glorify Him through our lives.  We are the most full of joy and serve God in the way that He has purposed when we are living out the life that God has uniquely called us to.  This does not look the same for any two people.  Each jar of clay has their own story.  
The teacher of the pottery class also pointed out that oftentimes the pottery gets cracks in it and none of them are perfect.  God chooses to use imperfect people to bring Him glory.  We all have flaws and cracks, and we all fail at times.  Yet, God, in His great mercy, grace, and love provides redemption for us (ultimately from the debt of sin, but also on a daily basis as His gives us mercies anew).  The teacher of the pottery class also pointed out that the final step in making the pottery was to put it in fire.  The purpose was to finish it and to make it strong so it wouldn't melt or break apart easily.  God reminded me that (though it's not the final step for Christ Followers, because we will not suffer the eternal fire) - but that sometimes we walk through the fire and He allows us to go through times of trial and temporary suffering at times.  In Zechariah 13:9 God tells us that "...I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”  In these times of trial our faith can be strengthened and He uses it to refine us and make us stronger.  It was a great time of learning and of spending time with friends here and meeting new ones.  Amazed that God continually teaches me through everyday occurrences such as going to a pottery class.  He is so Good.