Welcome to our journey. The purpose of my blog is not only to journal our life experience, but also to share what God is doing in our lives. I do not claim to be an expert in parenting, marriage, or even the Bible. But I do have a heart to share my experiences and the true love that God has for each and every one of us. You can read our testimony by clicking on the top of the page. And if you'd like to know about the Homeless Ministry my husband started, you can click on the Homeless tab. I hope you will comment freely on my posts and in my community.



Tuesday, August 24, 2010

He is the Potter, we are the clay

This is the beginning of a new journey for Dave and I. Both of us are starting The Potter's Wheel. Because I love to blog and desire to share what God is doing in our lives, I will of course be blogging about our journey. I can't think of a better way to explain what the next 2 years will be like, than to write about the relationship between a potter and the clay. You see God is the Potter and we are His clay. And throughout the past few years of my journey, God had been getting me ready to put on the wheel. To be molded into His masterpiece. Of course, this will be a life long journey and I won't be completed until I get before Him.

These next 2 years will be more than studying and gaining knowledge. It will be a time for refining and character building. I took these notes as I was watching a DVD called "The Potter's Wheel". Funny thing about this DVD is that when I first started working at Hosanna! 5 1/2 years ago, I went to a conference at Willow Creek. I actually watched a potter working with clay while someone told the story. I watched this very DVD in person. I would never have imagined that I would now be going through this course.

All clay starts with dust just as we do. Water is added. Some clay is hard and unworkable. Other clay is too soft. The potter must decide which clay is most pliable. The Potter would go to miry clay pits. They were so slimy that the potter needed help from a friend to get out. But this clay was the best.


Dust and water must be right balance. If it's too dry it will be stubborn and difficult to work with. If it is too dry, the potter has to put a moist cloth on it and set it aside. If the clay is too wet it's too soft, not firm. The potter then has to set it aside to let it rest.

Before the clay can be put on the potter's wheel, the potter must work the clay. He has to press out air pockets and lumps. These pockets are not visible from the human eye. But if they are left, they will make the clay puff out and look bigger than it is. Undetected air pockets leave the clay weak. It won't be able to stand the heat or pressure. When it gets to the kiln it will explode. It will throw shards into the other pieces as well.

Lumps must be taken out as well. They make the clay hard to mold. The Potter’s hands continually press out the lumps with steady consistent pressure. Left unattended they will cause the clay to crack. When the clay is just right, the potter can they put it on the wheel.

Before the potter can begin crafting the vessel, the clay must be centered. Nothing can be done with it until it centered on the wheel by the hands of the potter. If it is not centered it will not be balanced. It will be Self-centered and out of control. It can’t be molded. Lack of symmetry causes one of the sides to be thicker. It will eventually crack.

How does the potter know when the clay is centered? Once it’s centered the clay will stop fighting the potter. The potter will only have to gently guide it. Sometimes only the potter can feel that the clay is not centered. This is the most important part. It takes the most patience. The Potter’s hands stay on the clay. The outcome is dependant on getting centering right.

When the clay is finally centered, then it’s ready for a heart, a center. In the beginning as the The Potter looks at the vessel, it has a small heart. The walls are thick and the heart is tiny. The Potter knows there’s much potential though and much more that can be done. The Potter continues to work it making a larger vessel. The foot of the vessel is strong. As the Potter continues, the walls are built very gently. This process is called  Edification. It is the disciplining of the vessel. Using water to keep it moist to keep it responsive to The Potter's touch. The Potter continues pressing out lumps gently. and He is meticulous. It is a process that takes focus. Slowly the walls are built and the heart grows. This is a steady process. It can’t be too fast or it will collapse. The clay is constantly responding to the Potter's fingers. Sometimes it doesn’t respond well. The clay may not be strong enough. It may even collapse. If this happens, the Potter will fold the clay down and set it aside to use for another vessel.

The Potter is looking at the clay different than us. We see the outside. The Potter sees deep inside the heart. The Potter is the only one that can see inside the heart of the vessel as it's on the wheel. In order for us to see what’s inside this vessel, you have to draw near to the Potter. Only then you could see the heart and the potential of the vessel.

When the Potter gets to the point where they are pleased with the size and shape, He will trim the vessel and make a foot. The foot is strong. At this point, the walls of the vessel are still fragile. Before the vessel can be fully used it must be purified by fire. The vessel is placed in a kiln. It is 2400 degree hot fire. It’s so hot it almost melts down. If it’s strong it will make it through the heat. During this time it becomes solid rock. It becomes purified. Each vessel is unique. The Potter knows each one by heart. Each one is hand-crafted.

Isaiah 64:8 And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.

2 comments:

  1. Beautiful post! Congrats on the beginning of your new PW journey! Very exciting! Thank you so much for the yummy dinner! We REALLY appreciated it!

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  2. I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.

    God Bless You ~Ron

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