I decided as my daughter was taking her photography class three days a week, instead of sitting in the library for three hours I would take Ceramics 1 – and learn how to work with clay. My true interest in taking the class, was to learn the potter’s wheel.
On the first day, the professor showed us around the studio and we came to this one room with a huge mixer.
“Don’t worry about it if you don’t like how a project turns out. You see these two bins?” he pointed to two huge plastic trash cans. “Throw it in here along with any clay that may be to dry. The water turns it to a “slip” like substance. Then we add powder clay to it and it becomes re-usable clay.”
What he didn’t say was how bad it would smell due to bacteria breaking it down which I learned about later.
Knowing that I was starting the class, I chose to study what the Bible says about the potter. When I got home it hit me. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB)
As I think about my how life has been working and changing and healing I thought about the “slip” in the classroom. My life is the clay. What I think is too big of a mess up or the flaws are just too damaging I can’t be used, it’s just not true. Sure, It’s been tough. However, the great thing is God will take everything in the past, present and future, and mix it with His love, and heals me through the work of the Holy Spirit (the water) for my good and His glory and make me even more usable.
Cool huh?
It sure doesn’t feel good sometimes. In fact, it smells pretty bad as the Holy Spirit illuminates things, and not necessarily of my own doing. But through the Word, prayer and even other people this lump of clay will be recycled and made to be used in beautiful ways I never thought imaginable. That’s hope, and I will not be rejected by the love and creativity of the Potter. He has a purpose for me and will use the flaws, mistakes, struggles and trials to accomplish it.
“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
Solitude with the Father 