The Pottery Wheel

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 9:20-21

“This was a great birthday!” Maelie told her parents. “I love my presents—especially my pottery wheel. I can’t wait to use it.”

The next day, Maelie found that using the wheel was much harder than it looked. When she first tried to use it, it spun so fast it sent bits of wet clay flying everywhere. She got up and cleaned the area before the clay could dry and stick, then started over.

This time, things were going quite well when the clay she was shaping into a bowl suddenly slipped off the center of the wheel. Her bowl instantly became lopsided. Maelie sighed, worked the clay into a ball, and started again. Her persistence paid off, and she finally formed a small bowl.

The next day, Maelie went to her grandparents’ house to show them the bowl. As she darted up the porch steps, she heard Grandma singing through the window, “Have Thine own way, Lord; have Thine own way. Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.” Maelie thought she had heard that song at church once.

Grandpa and Grandma both exclaimed over Maelie’s bowl. “It was hard to get this right,” she told them. “The clay acted like it had a mind of its own and didn’t want to be molded into a bowl. First it spattered all over, then it slipped off the wheel. But I finally got it done.”

Grandpa smiled. “Did you hear the song Grandma was singing when you got here?” he asked. “In that song, we ask God to mold us and make us according to His will. But sometimes we’re like that clay and don’t want to be molded. Sometimes we fight against His will.”

“Like when we don’t want to do the things we know we should do?” Maelie asked.

“Yes,” Grandma said. “God is making us to be more like Jesus, and we can trust His plan for our lives. Instead of trying to do things our own way or getting upset when He allows things to happen we don’t like, we need to trust Him to use all our experiences to mold us into a useful vessel.” She smiled at Maelie. “That’s something you can remember every time you use your pottery wheel!” Raelene E. Phillips

How About You?

Do you willingly accept God’s leading in your life? He uses parents, teachers, friends, and all kinds of experiences to help mold you and make you more like Jesus. He uses both good and difficult times to help you know His love for you and teach you to rely on Him. God is the Potter. Don’t struggle against Him. Let Him make you into a beautiful vessel for His glory.

Today’s Key Verse:
Isaiah 64:8 You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Let God mold you