Although God gives us free will, He is still in control of the universe. He wants to mold and refine us into His image. The potter working with clay is likened to God working in us.

Isaiah 64:8 – “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”

The word ‘potter’ and its variations appear in the Bible 16 times. A potter is an artist who creates pots, vases, decorative pieces and more. Clay is used to mold pieces into the desired shape, then placed in a kiln to dry and harden, and then painted and glazed. It takes much time and practice to become a true master of the art, just as it takes time to grow in the Lord. Strong and durable, pottery can survive for hundreds of years; strong Christians can survive for eternity!

Romans 9:21 – “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” Just as a potter uses clay to mold his creations, God is the Potter and we are His clay. He has created each of us just the way He wants us.

Psalms 139:13-16 – ‘For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.’

The Book of Matthew tells about Judas Iscariot receiving 30 pieces of silver for betraying Christ, and then he returned the money to the chief priests and committed suicide. Refusing to put this “blood money” in the Temple treasury, they bought a ‘potter’s field’.

Matthew 27:7-8 – “And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.”

This ‘Potter’s field’ or ‘field of blood’ (Acts 1:19) was located outside Jerusalem. It was previously used by potters to excavate clay for their pieces, which over time removed the nutrients from the soil and rendered the land barren. Unusable for farming, it served as a graveyard for unclaimed corpses, and unidentified and/or poor people. God used what had turned ‘unusable’ into something usable again. ‘My world is breaking me, Your love is shaping me And now the enemy is afraid of what You’re making me.

And I know Your way is best, Lord, help me find my rest; And I’ll be the clay in the Hands of the Potter.’

(Lyrics from “In The Hands Of The Potter” by M.Hall, J.Smith) It takes time to master the art of pottery-making, and it takes time to become what God wants us to be, but we are responsible for taking what He has given us and using it for His glory.