The Potter’s Wheel

God molding us into a vessel he can use might seem foreign to those who haven’t grown up in the church. I didn’t grow up knowing anything about the Bible, so don’t feel bad; I indeed had several misunderstandings about these types of analogies.

Jeremiah 18 is where we find the reference to a potter shaping a marred pot. God was illustrating to Jeremiah His relationship with Israel. Though there are many commentaries on this passage, I have a few thoughts that I pull from this analogy that I want to share with you. Especially since this is the start of a new year, we are all looking to transform in one way or another.

Change only happens when we are not so hardheaded (stubborn) in our ways. So, as we compare the potter’s wheel and our transformation, we should remember that we remain pliable.

First, I want to point out that the wheel is always turning; it is a continuous motion, symbolizing the ongoing work we are in God’s hands.

On this journey of transformation, we must not dwell on where we currently stand. Just as the lump of clay on the potter’s wheel may not seem impressive at first glance, we must hold onto the hope that something beautiful is about to emerge.  

Remember, the potter’s work doesn’t end once the pot is formed. He continues to shape the clay, refining it into the ultimate vessel. Similarly, our transformation is a continuous process. We must not become complacent, always remaining open to learning and change.

Lastly, the potter does not remove his hand from the clay. The potter’s hand reveals God’s intimate involvement in our lives. This gives me reassurance that God is actively involved in our lives, shaping us into the person our destiny requires of us.

As we embark on this journey of 2025, let’s take a sincere look at ourselves and ask God for guidance on the changes we need to make. Remember, God is a loving father who guides us with compassion, not condemnation. If you feel otherwise, it’s not from Him, but from the accuser.  Hold onto the truth in scripture and keep moving forward, knowing that God’s hands are always shaping us into the vessel our destiny requires.

Deliberate choice to pursue PEACE.

Are you living an unstainable life? Do you find yourself busier each week, even though you keep telling yourself you will slow down? 

Indeed, we tend to quote what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13  (MEV) I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me.

I am not sure about you, but I will speak for myself. Subconsciously, I believe God will equip me with everything I need to carry out what I want to do for him or what I think he is calling me to do. Without asking, is this what you want me to do, Lord?

Let us read this same verse in the Amplified Bible:  

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] 

You would think by now we would understand that it is HIS will for our lives, but somehow, we push His will aside and figure we know for ourselves what His will is. We quote the MEV translation without really thinking about it. Or at least I do.

Where is the easy yoke we read about?

Matthew 11:28 -30 MEV “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Same verse AMP

 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.  For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”

So if we know these verses and know that our value is not in what we do, why do we get tangled up in performance? We are not called doing beings but human beings.

During my quiet time today, the Lord wanted me to stop and pay attention to the questions I was asking Him, Specifically: Am I too busy? I am still doing my will and not your will. Do I still feel that I need to prove myself?

Then word Deliberate started to stir in my heart.

Webster 1828 the word DELIBERATE is described to weigh in the mind; to consider and examine the reasons for and against a measure; to estimate the weight or force of arguments, or the probable consequences of a measure, in order to a choice or decision; to pause and consider. 

The Lord then led me to read Haggai, It talks about rebuilding the house (temple) of the Lord. New Testament believers know that our body is the temple of God.

I have been rebuilding the house of the Lord (His temple, my body) since 2023. And though I have had miraculous improvements, it’s not fully restored. Not yet.

I crossed a finish line (so to speak), only to push myself to sign up for another marathon. 

What about you? Are you signing up for more and more races without giving yourself time to restore your body from participating in the race you just ran?

When family and friends say to us (you) that you’re doing a lot, maybe we (you) should stop and listen. 

Is pride keeping us busy, or is it not knowing our value? What is it that makes us say yes?

Do our thoughts and ideas push us to do more? Even though we may not have started implementing the idea that crossed our minds, it hovers over us, putting pressure on us to carry it out.

Have you ever stuffed a bunch of towels in a washing machine, and shortly after, it sounds like the whole house is coming apart from the noise the lopsided load is making because it is out of balance?

The same thing can happen in our lives. We push and do to the point that throws us into chaos that manifests in our bodies, emotions, and our will (choices).

PEACE can only thrive when we recognize what’s important and pursue it deliberately.

How are you deliberately pursuing PEACE?

What mindsets do you need to change about “doing?”

What habits and priorities must you change to bring more balance into your life? 

Foundation of our Hope.

Have you ever made a bold claim about something you were sure was true as a child, but the playground bully challenged your claim by yelling, “Prove it!”

You might boldly respond with your beliefs, but the bully contradicts your response with how he sees things. Feeling intimidated, you suddenly feel uncertain. You don’t have that assurance you had and stamper with excuses about the bold decree you’ve made.

Accepting defeat, you might quietly walk away, asking yourself; I am right – right?

Doubt has set in.

Well, the enemy and deceiver of our lives is that playground bully. And he will challenge the very word of God we are standing on.

In my personal life, I have made some pretty bold claims about Jesus’ finished work of the cross, and the playground bully has challenged my decree.

I felt intimidated and wondered how I would prove to the bully that my decree was actual. But suddenly, I realized something. The claims I have made are God’s word, not mine. I don’t need to prove anything. All I need to do is anchor myself in the Hope I have in the Word of God because He does not lie  (Heb. 6:19; Num. 23:19).  

Hope is only as strong as its source. That’s why the foundation of our Hope must be in God and the promises found in His Word. If God is not the source, hope is just a wishful thought.

The Hope I’m encouraging you to have differs significantly from what the world might call hope. It is found in El Shaddai (Almighty God), who has infinite knowledge (Isa. 40:28), who fills the heavens and the earth (Jer. 23:23-24), and His Son, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

When we have a relationship with Christ, it fills us with Hope and confidence because we realize He’s greater than any situation we will ever encounter. 

What scriptures are you anchoring yourself to – that speak HOPE about the situation you’re facing now?

How to Nurture Hope

So, how do I give up my timeline and keep holding onto hope?

I remind myself that I am looking at the situation in the moment; God sees the whole picture. He knows the end from the beginning (Isa 46:10) and has not left me (Dt 31:8).

I then nurture these truths. Nurture means to feed or nourish whatever it is that you want to grow. I do this by remembering the times these scriptures became true for me. Those personal moments when I knew God was going before me, opening the door. Or when I could not see the end, I was stuck in the middle questioning “why,” only to realize that Hollywood couldn’t have scripted the end better than it unfolded for me.

Also, I look at scripture and see how the Lord came through countless times when things looked grim, remembering that HE is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). So we can expect the Lord to come through for us, too.

So, I want to encourage you not to look at the moment you may be sitting in but look up to the one who sees the entire picture. Know He has not abandoned you (Ps 94:14). He will work all things out to those who love him, according to His purposes (Ro 8:28; Php 1:6).

What testimonies do you have that you remind yourself to nurture hope?

Increasing the speed, doesn’t make the time go by faster

I had to run on the dreaded treadmill today at the gym. I started in, only wanting to endure the machine for half an hour. However, the closer I got to the 30-minute mark, I increased the speed. It would make those minutes go any faster. I had to laugh once I realized what I was doing; it didn’t matter how fast I was going. Thirty minutes is thirty minutes.

I instantly thought of the many times I wanted to be farther down the road to where I would be walking out in my heart’s desires (dreams and aspirations). There have often been times when I wouldn’t cut myself some ‘slack,’ pushing myself to make things happen before I am ready. All those beautiful goals that I see in my heart and so badly want to achieve, I mentally turn up the speed on the treadmill (so to speak) as if it will get me there faster. But it’s a process, not a destination, to become what God has designed me to be. It is a journey that my Heavenly Father is enjoying. If you want to know something, I am finally at a place where I can enjoy the journey. At least for today, ‘wink.’

What about you? Do you find yourself speeding the pace on the treadmill of life?

Philippians 1:6 AMP
I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].