by Missy Grant

“The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.” Jeremiah 18:1-4.

There is something about the visual which etches in our minds a lasting picture. God is a visual God. His Word is filled with visual punch – verse after verse after verse. He is our creative God and He takes pleasure in unveiling for us, through our senses, not only His word, but the Holy Spirit within us.

The above scripture is well known….it is easy for our simple human ways to grasp exactly what the Lord is teaching Jeremiah. But, being that His word is dynamic – no it doesn’t change, but is revealed over time to us through the Holy Spirit – scripture will impact us differently throughout time.

I love the promises of this portion of scripture….first, the Lord told Jeremiah…”Go down….I will speak to you there.” Praise the Lord that He likes to speak to us! Second, the potter was working….think about that…..the potter was working – not sitting, not fretting, not being passive…he was working towards completion. Third, the finished product was not as he hoped. So, in other words, plans – desires – hopes, sometimes don’t look the way our human hearts desire. Fourth, he crushed the jar AND STARTED AGAIN.

Don’t miss the crushing part of the scripture. What happens when a jar is broken….it leaks and its content are emptied out…..aaaahhhhh, there it is. That is what the Lord is after – emptying out. In order to be filled with Him, we must allow the Lord to empty the contents of the jar. Why? So that He can start over continually perfecting us in His image.

Lord, thank you for taking your perfection and allowing it to be broken on our behalf so that we may spend eternity with you. Thank you that "your mercies are new every morning." So often Lord, we try to be the potter….forgive us. When our plans, desires, and hopes seemed crushed, may we see Your sovereign hand moving to form us in your perfect image. We praise Your glorious name. Amen.