The Potter’s Wheel

Posted by5thgenerationgirlPosted inUncategorizedTags:

INSIGHT Jeremiah used the analogy of the potter and clay to illustrate God’s freedom to judge and restore His people. Even if God promised that a nation would be “built up and planted” (Jeremiah 18:9), that didn’t mean a nation should become complacent and arrogant, for God is free to respond to unrepentant sin with judgment (v. 10). At the same time, God’s judgment of Israel didn’t suggest their permanent destruction; for if Israel repented, God, like a potter reshaping clay, would freely reshape and rebuild Israel (v. 8).

The metaphor of the potter and clay also emphasizes God’s good purposes for His creation. A potter responds to defects in the clay (lack of moisture, a lump, or other issues) by further working the clay into a usable form. Likewise, God doesn’t throw away His creation but continues to work toward His good purposes.

In 1952, in an effort to prevent clumsy or careless people from breaking items in a shop, a Miami Beach storeowner posted a sign that read: “You break it, you buy it.” The catchy phrase served as a warning to shoppers. This type of sign can now be seen in many boutiques.

Ironically, a different sign might be placed in a real potter’s shop. It would say: “If you break it, we’ll make it into something better.” And that’s exactly what’s revealed in Jeremiah 18.

Jeremiah visits a potter’s house and sees the potter shaping the “marred” clay with his hands, carefully handling the material and forming “it into another pot” (v. 4). The prophet reminds us that God is indeed a skillful potter, and we are the clay. He is sovereign and can use what He creates to both destroy evil and create beauty in us.

God can shape us even when we’re marred or broken. He, the masterful potter, can and is willing to create new and precious pottery from our shattered pieces. God doesn’t look at our broken lives, mistakes, and past sins as unusable material. Instead, He picks up our pieces and reshapes them as He sees best. Even in our brokenness, we have immense value to our Master Potter. In His hands, the broken pieces of our lives can be reshaped into beautiful vessels that can be used by Him (v. 4).

Prayer: God, You’re the Potter and I’m the clay. Mold me as You wish. Remind me that I’m in Your skillful and caring hands.

Published by 5thgenerationgirl

Tammy Wynette is a mother of three and a “G-MA” (grandma). Born in Warren, Arkansas, she currently resides in Sacramento, CA and is pursuing an AA degree in English at American River College, with plans to transfer to California State University, Sacramento (Sac State). She is an active leader and role model in her community, she works with teens sharing and teaching poetry, as well as providing insight for young parents to prosper. She has certificate from NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) and is a trailblazer & Griot, keeper of stories/traditions passed down from her ancestors. As an Author and motivational speaker it’d be an honor to present at your events to inspire, encourage & let our VOICES be heard! She has short stories and poems published in Our Black Mothers Brave, Bold and Beautiful!

52 thoughts on “The Potter’s Wheel”

    1. We must be in sync, I just finished your post, lol. There are so many lessons in scripture & I love the way they are broken down in simple terms here able to reach others. Let me know your thoughts regarding the book of Jeremiah .😇

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      1. Yes, God is using you for my life right now. I just read and replied to your book signing post that created a prayer in me. I started reading Jeremiah on my own bc my ladies Bible study has focused on Isaiah and we were on break. Isaiah has brought to light the history and geography of that time frame which is good but it’s so hard to comprehend. Jeremiah is much easier and relatable. That’s my two cents. What about you?

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  10. I love this story, Tammy. There are so many ways to view and to put this lesson into context.

    One way I certainly look and think about this on a regular basis is that our life is not defined by one moment, such as a mistake, or one by trait, such as a disability.

    Until our last breath in life, there is always a chance to grow, learn, change and evolve into a better version of ourselves.

    In my daily prayers, that is one of constant things I pray for – that my loved ones and myself can continue to have the opportunity to be the best versions of ourselves.

    Happy Sunday! 😊🙏

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    1. I love your perspective Ab! After the first few years of having the seizures & seeing how drastically they changed my life I finally decided that I wouldn’t allow none of my disabilities to define me or my future. Thanks for pointing out such a valuable lesson.

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  11. Amen Tammy. 🙏🏼 I agree with you my dear, “God can shape us even when we’re marred or broken.” Sometimes people feel like they are unworthy and are guilt-ridden because of things that occurred in their past, but if they would only have the courage to trust and know that our Creator does not make a mistake, and knows how to shape and transform us into the creatures he wants us to be, we can serve our purpose.

    Then, we can go on our way with less stress and worriation. What a beautiful message you’ve shared with us today girlfriend. 🥰💐😍 Thank you so much for that my dear friend. 😉💖😘

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  17. For years, I hung a ceramic sun broken into four roughly equal quarters before I knew the story behind my sisters gift. She was devastated when she dropped the sun and it broke but my Dad showed her how to frame the four pieces as an artwork with a ribbon of space between the pieces. It was beautiful as so many things are that are built from “mistakes.”

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