The clay feels pressure and pain, while the Potter forms purpose. Jeremiah 18:1–6 (NLT) 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. Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. The Potter Shapes with (Hebrew) yatsar = to FORM, fashion same as in Gen 2:7 Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Don’t mistake the pressure for punishment—the Potter’s wheel is where He breathes new life in you.” (Greek) plasso = to MOLD, form (Create/Make - NLT) Trials don’t crush faith—they shape and strengthen it. The clay feels pressure and pain, while the Potter forms purpose. The Potter Doesn’t the Clay—He Starts . Jer. 18:4 [NLT] 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. Hebrew (shachath – spoiled, ruined Greek phtheiro = corrupted, destroyed. Where we see a mess, God sees a masterpiece in progress Here is the lifetime guarantee God offers EVERYONE… He will CAUSE EVERYTHING to work together for the good. IT WILL BE GOOD! The clay feels pressure and pain, while the Potter forms purpose. The Potter’s Are ALWAYS The same hands that formed and is forming you will never fail you John 10:28–29 [NLT] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. Have you ever said or thought something like this? This pressure hurts—why are you pressing so hard? Why are you spinning me? I feel out of control. Why are you taking so long? Why did you crush me and start over? Why are you making me like this? I wanted to look different. I don’t like this fire—it’s too hot. Why can’t I shape myself? Two of the many symbolic pictures of water in in the Bible is… Life and Refreshing John 4:14 [NLT] “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Two of the many symbolic pictures of water in in the Bible is… Purifies — a picture of forgiveness, repentance, and holiness. Titus 3:5 [NLT] He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. When the clay resist the Potter he adds water to soften the clay. The clay feels pressure and pain, while the Potter forms purpose. So what is the next Step? Surrender – Stop resisting the work of the potter. Trust – Even when it feels messy, His hands are steady. Hope – Your flaws are not final. God makes beauty from brokenness. Where is God pressing on you, spinning you, or reshaping you? What “voice of the clay” is coming from you on the Potter’s Wheel? The clays voice of surrender, trust and hope says… Shape me however You see fit. (Surender) Thank You for not throwing me away. (Gratitude and Hope) Hold me steady when life spins. (Stressed) Take Your time—I trust Your process. (Maturity) Use me for whatever purpose brings You glory. (Praise and Worship) Even if the fire is hot, make me strong through it. (Trust) Fill me so I can pour out for others. (Purpose filled) Surrender to the Potter Brings Purpose The clay can’t find its purpose until it yields to the Potter’s design. When we surrender, we discover who we were created to be. Surrender to the Potter Builds Strength The pressure of His hands and the heat of the kiln shape us for endurance. What feels like breaking is really God strengthening us for His purpose. Surrender to the Potter Reveals His Glory When the Potter is finished, the vessel reflects His beauty, not its own effort. Surrender allows God’s glory to shine through our lives.