Clay (Part 1) The Lump

 I’d like to tell you a story. This story is one that is of utmost importance to each and every one of us present here. After all, it is the story of you and me. And most importantly, it is the story of a God that loves us extravagantly. I don’t know if any of you have ever watched a potter at work, but it is truly a fascinating experience. No matter how often I see it happen I am instantly mesmerized by the artistry and skill that is required of a potter. The way that his hands shape the lump of clay. The way that his hands don’t stop forming that lump until it is the exact piece of art that he was intending to create. Did you know that God is called the Potter? In Isaiah 64 and verse 8 we read, “Yet Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hands.” (HCSB) This is a vital thing for us to remember because clay is nothing pretty to look at. We love to think of ourselves as the grandest and greatest of all God’s creation (and we truly are something spectacular—we are God’s handiwork! We are created in His image!) BUT we’re still just a lump of clay in His powerful hands. Don’t get me wrong here, I believe that we have value, but it is good for us to get our perspective back sometimes. How often do we sit and argue with God about how the world should operate? How often do we tell God how our lives should run? It’s not about us! We are the ones that must submit to His will in our lives.

            In the second chapter of the Bible, we are presented with this verse “ Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” (HCSB) God formed us from the dust. We are but dust in His image, but God in His crazy, perfect, omnipotent way chose to make this dust a bit special. He decided that this specific piece of dust, was going to carry His image, His mark, His stamp. God used the most common thing on this planet—dirt and dust—to create His most unique creation—man. He made us to look like Him. He made us to be with Him. He made us to love Him.

            Of course, just like human beings, this lump of clay decided that he could make himself a little better than he had already been made, and at that moment, the Potter’s heart broke. The relationship changed. Perfection was no longer an option for man. What was the Potter’s response? Was it to throw away that piece of clay? After all, the clay was now misshapen and deformed. No. He chose to pursue after it. God is a loving and gracious God. He knows what’s best for His creation, but His creation just doesn’t see it sometimes. God is a God of infinite love and mercy. Beyond what we can imagine. God sent His Son to fix that misshapen piece of dirt that you and I are. He came to make us perfect. The way the Potter intended, before the dirt started to talk back. God loves you and is pursuing you with unbridled passion.