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This is a little lengthy and it may be boring at first but stick with it. It has a good spiritual application.
I often hear people campare Jesus with the
potter and us His clay. I smile at these people and wonder if
they really understand all the truth behind this example.
For those of you who may not know:
Clay comes in different colors: white, red, brown, even speckled.
Some clays are very soft like porcelain, and some coarse and
rough like raku. Both are hard to work with; if the potter has
patience, these too will come out a thing of beauty.
All clay needs wedged: pushed and pulled until all the air
bubbles are removed. Air bubbles will cause the vessel to explode
during firing, and could ruin those pieces around it.
The clay is thrown on the center of a stone wheel. The clay is
soaked with water as the wheel spins. The force of the wheel
tends to throw much of the water off the clay. The clay must stay
wet if it is to stay workable, so more must always be applied.
The clay must be centered at the start or the vessel will be
uneven, the walls weak, and it will lean to one side. Sometimes
the vessel will crumple, and then the potter will have to leave
it to the side and start again with new. Centering is a slow,
gentle guiding of the potter's hand. The force of the wheel works
against this guiding.
His thumbs push in the center of the clay, making an opening, so
that it will hold what ever He puts in. He pushes down until the
base is the right thickness and then brings up the walls.
The vessel is cut from the wheel and set to dry for a day. This
is called "leather hard." It is returned to the wheel
were is it is ttrimmed and smoothed.
After another day of drying it is at a "bone dry" state
and ready to be fired. The first firing is a low
"bisque" firing, after which the "glaze" or
paint is applied.
Now there are two types of glaze. An under glaze, which is pretty
but it won't hold any liquids, and an over glaze which will hold
liquid but it is not as pretty. A combination of the two adds
beauty, and keeping power. An under glaze is applied and then it
is dippied into a clear over glaze. Under glazes are normally a
low fire but with the clear over top it needs a high fire.
2
We are thrown on the world whose force works against God's hand
in trying to center us. We must stay wet with the Word if we want
to stay workable by Him. Those who spin with the world will be
lukewarm and weak. Some will crumple altogether. Those who are
centered will be formed to God's image. They will be sanctified
in a bisque firing and submerged in the baptism of water, a clear
glaze; to be fired even higher so it can be filled with the Holy
Spirit and have a keeping power.
Now I know this thought is out of sequence but I think it fits
still. The cutting away from the wheel (world) is like the
rapture for the marriage supper. We are returned to the wheel
(world) for the millennium, and cut away for eternity. The
glazing process can also type justification. The under glaze is
the applied blood and the over glaze still water baptism.
But one thing is sure, some will have the keeping power and some
will crumple. Some will be lukewarm and uneven. Some will explode
and fall away before getting the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some
will be trusted with the oil and the wine, and some will be
trusted only with waste. Honor or dishonor, which vessel of clay
are you?
By: Zoey
2-2001
Romans 9:21
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the
same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto
dishonour?