Made of Clay

The hands are dirty but the masterpiece speaks of the creativity and ability of the designer. It is in his hands that this artwork has been molded and designed for a purpose.

The patterns and decorations are no mean task to accomplish, for it takes patience, effort and competence to accomplish in each and every of the many vessels that lie before them. And although modern manufacturing systems do not allow reworks and defects, it is different for him. Most of the vessels are reworks! The six sigma lean manufacturing endeavors to have only 3.4 defects out of a million opportunities. Hold on, this is not the only difference there is!

It appears he has become fond of working with this kind of material. Perhaps he just likes it. Not that he has no idea of how to work with another type of material, but his specialties are things made of clay. It is not the gold, silver, diamond or other precious materials that he has chosen to work with; no wonder his hands are dirty.

The patterns of decorations should not fool you to think that was all he was doing. Though a display of glory and an iconic trademark of quality, his main goal is to create vessels fit for purpose. He takes great delight in his work. Never mind that most of the vessels he had worked on them again and again. Reworking without feeling discouraged, till it was fit for purpose.

Jeremiah 18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. (NKJV)

In the beginning God made man out of the dust of the earth. I believe this is very symbolic. It does not only apply to our human framework of body but everything about us. We are made of clay. God is the potter. In His hands we are continually being shaped and fashioned till we become all that He wants to make of us.

Isn't it then a wonder how we carry ourselves as though we are not made! Even to humble us more, made of clay.

We walk with so much pride in our hearts and the hardness of our hearts has blinded us from this realization that we are made of clay. We (the clay) go to great extent to make ourselves, to decorate ourselves, to choose our purpose, and even a more sad thing to question and attempt to counsel the porter.

Romans 9: 20 -21Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Pathway or Highway

We do not want to be the clay anymore. We deny it and work so hard not to appear as the clay whereas intrinsically we have no ability to transform ourselves. Instead of the highway designed for us, we have chosen the pathway.

“This is how I want to lead my life”, “no one can tell me what to do with my life”, “I am here to do this and that”. Since when did the clay choose? I know this is the hardest part for us to accept, submitting and being completely obedient.

Having no other desire or will of ours apart from his. Before you dismiss me, see how Christ was in Philippians 2:7 -8

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

He had no other purpose or ambition apart from that which the Father (God) had for him. Obeying till death, even the shameful death on the cross.

Battle of the wills

Similarly, those who chose to remain the clay and be made of clay, allowing the hands of the porter to work on them, became God's valuable assets and accomplished great exploits for The Kingdom.

Father Abraham left following his will when he was called by God to leave his land and go to a foreign land. Moses left the riches and pleasures of Egypt and chose the wilderness life just to serve and worship God. Apostle Paul ceased making himself into something else and let God make him. Job did not deny being in the hot kiln for a while knowing the porter still had a purpose at the end. All of them knew, they were made of clay.

Why is it that we wrestle with releasing ourselves for His will. For how long shall we contend with being torn in between. The hands of the porter are strong enough to make, skillful enough to design for honor, merciful and gracious enough to rework and remove defect, tender enough not to break and unashamed enough to make out of clay.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

I think it is the hardest thing for a man to do: to release you will and let God form His will in you. To obey Him fully and completely. That utmost surrender, where nothing else matters but Him. Where all that you are is a piece of clay in the hands of a potter. When you are made of clay.

Let the will of the Father be done in my life