The Lord once sent the prophet Jeremiah down to a potter’s house to teach him an illustrated lesson. When he arrived he said: ” saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.” (Jeremiah 18:4)

Even though God was talking to Jeremiah about Israel, it’s not difficult to convert this into a personal example. For instance it’s easy for me to see clearly that I am a marred pot. In fact, we can all probably identify if we are honest. We are all filled with inadequacies and failures and defects of character.

I think the hard part of the example to accept is the potter’s solution – forming it into another pot. I may not be perfect but I don’t want anyone messing with me. The process of forming a new pot is none too pleasant what with the water and the pushing and shoving of the clay and the slamming down on the potter’s wheel. Big ouch!

But then there is something even worse: “shaping it as seemed best to him.” I want to direct my own life and make my own decisions. I cringe from letting someone else do whatever they think seems best. Even knowing the potter is God doesn’t insure against some mighty tough times.

Do you willingly crawl up on that wheel and say: “do whatever you want”? I admire you. Probably only in eternity will I be glad.