Marred to Molded

“So I went down to the potter’s house and I 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 18:2-4.

I have only watched on television the process of shaping and molding clay into something of value.  I would love to see it in person since I love seeing emerging art.  That is exactly what Jeremiah was told to do by the Lord.  He was to enter into the workplace of the potter and witness the process.  It was the opinion of Jeremiah that the pot in the potter’s hands was marred.  The definition of marred is damaged to a certain extent, rendered less perfect, attractive, or useful.  The potter’s work did not change because man esteemed his work marred.  The potter continued to mold and shape because he knew the value of the pot wasn’t in its hard surface, but rather in the purpose it would bring.  The primary importance of the pot was its inner capabilities, whereas its outward beauty was secondary.

Who is feeling marred this morning…unattractive…spiritually distracted…undervalued?  We should notice that the marred pot was in the hands of the potter instead of being thrown aside.  The potter knew that there was still purpose in its future capabilities.  The potter must have known that the previous purposes for the shape had been completed.  He obviously envisioned a new repurposing for the pot’s life, and personally worked with his hands to prepare the pot for its new purpose.  God is that potter and we are that pot. 

Only God knows the worth of what is inside our hearts and the spiritual capabilities we possess.  He works to mold us towards God’s plan for our lives.  Within each pot purpose and value exists and the potter calls the purpose into being.  It is up to us to be submissive and trusting that His gentle hands will reshape and repurpose our lives.  Once one season closes out God is already working on a new vision, one of divine purpose and contribution.  Jeremiah assumed that the potter was reshaping the pot because it was marred.  In reality the pot was being reshaped because purpose had been completed, and a new vision was emerging.

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” Rev. 21:5.