The Potter and the Clay
This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Jeremiah, go down to the potter’s house. I will give you my message there.”
3 So I went down to the potter’s house and saw him working with clay at the wheel. 4 He was making a pot from clay. But there was something wrong with the pot. So the potter used that clay to make another pot. With his hands he shaped the pot the way he wanted it to be.
5 Then this message from the Lord came to me: 6 “Family of Israel, you know that I can do the same thing with you. You are like the clay in the potter’s hands, and I am the potter.”
Excerpt from Jeremiah 18 (ERV)
Do you ever think about all the things around us that contain layers?
There are layers in clothing, and there are layers in foods such as lasagna, tiramisu and of course a layer cake. There are layers in rocks and soil, and there are layers in your skin and your heart. I believe there also layers to our personalities and emotions all based on our experiences. This list of positive and negative layers is endless.
Yes, I do have layers, and I believe these layers change with life and circumstances. I think living our life adds to our layers. We harbor both positive and negative segments. There are so many layers that we take on in our lives. Here are just a few of mine.
Negative situations that added to my life layers.
When I was a teenager a friend stole from me, I felt betrayed
When a married leader of the church made a pass at me when I was a young woman. I remember being shocked and disappointed
When my husband betrayed me, I felt total depression. I was left crushed and broken on the floor.
When my house was broken into, I felt fearful and suspicious.
When I am unsure of my future, this can generate worry and concern.
When I experience the death of loved ones, I feel grieved and at times in denial.
Positive situations that add to my layers.
When I had my children, I felt joy.
When my grandkids smile at me, I feel elated.
When I walk my dog, there is a feeling of contentment.
When I go out with family or friends, there is a sense of belonging.
When I exercise, I feel strong.
When I laugh, I feel happy.
When I am reading a good book, I feel at peace.
When I realize God loves me, I feel blessed.
I believe that God, our potter, takes all of our layers both positive and negative and He has the ability to make something beautiful. If we trust God, he can mold us into something unexpected and wonderful. Yes, we may have many scars, but that makes us more unique and more beautiful in God’s eyes.
Give God the good and bad in your life daily, trust him with all your
layers and then watch what he can do.
I do believe he has a plan for us.
God Bless!
Always remember God’s promise “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Thank you, God!
KathieyV
