We each started out as a heavenly lump of earthly clay.

“Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.”
Job 33:6

Yes, we are all created by God. Actually, He continues to perfect us daily. You can either willingly say “I am clay in your hands”, trusting He knows what is best for you and for his purposes, or realize that regardless of your willingness, He will work on you anyway.

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8

When a potter begins to shape a lump of clay, he uses water to soften it. This makes it workable and flexible.

“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5

It takes the potter a long time to properly create what he has envisioned.

“But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”
Romans 9:20

The potter will cut away excess that isn’t necessary in his pottery.

“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?
Isaiah 45:9

Lastly, this pot must be placed into a kiln, an extremely hot oven, that toughens the clay, causing it to harden which allows it to maintain the shape and design the potter had planned, and strengthens the pot for its purpose.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13

This verse sums up the whole process paralleled in our lives:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.”
Isaiah 43:2

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10

Here is the Lord’s pottery analogy, a message to Israel, which we could apply today:
“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:  “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.  And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it. 
Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.’”
Jeremiah 18:1-11

If we allow Him to do this work in us, the great news is:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17

Food for thought: God Almighty, the Lord himself has created and designed us, formed us, shaped us, and continues to reshape and refine us.
We are designed to be his earthen vessels for carrying the message of LOVE to the rest of this world.

Fun facts: The most common type of clay is Earthenware, which may have small amounts of minerals, sand or rock in it. Stoneware is harder and more durable, and is used more for craft dishes or crocks. Kaolin or China clay is the purest, and is used to make porcelain.

Photo by: Mahir Uysal – Old man potter

I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TESTIMONIES TO SHARE WITH SNAPINSPIRE’S READERS.
IF YOU HAVE A STORY OF GOD’S WORKING IN YOUR LIFE,
FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME AT: Kari@SnapInspire.com.