Made From Something Marredಮಾದರಿ

The Potter’s Devotion

Jeremiah 18 reveals something that can be troubling to us: the clay became marred or flawed while still in the hands of the Potter. How could this happen? If the Potter has His hands on the clay, shouldn’t it remain perfect? Yet, the reality is that even with God’s hand on us, we are still clay—fragile, imperfect, and susceptible to outside influences.

Clay can become marred for many reasons. It can dry out, be exposed to friction, or face environmental pressures. This reminds us that God’s hand doesn’t always stop the hazards of life. That’s why we face struggles, challenges, and painful circumstances. God’s presence doesn’t remove our humanity or shield us completely from life’s hardships. However, His hand provides a powerful reassurance: being marred is not permanent.

The beauty of the text is this: the Potter doesn’t discard the marred clay. Instead, He patiently picks it up, reshapes it, and continues His work. God doesn’t give up on us when we are flawed. He takes the same clay—our same lives, with the same purpose—and makes us new. No matter how broken or flawed we feel, God’s faithfulness ensures that we will never be too much for Him to handle. He remains the Potter, tirelessly shaping us into something beautiful.

This truth mirrors the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold. Instead of hiding the cracks, the gold highlights them, transforming the piece into something more beautiful and valuable than it was before. Similarly, God doesn’t erase our scars or struggles. Instead, He redeems them, making our lives a testimony to His power and grace.

Reflection for Today: Have you felt marred or broken by life’s challenges? Trust that God, the Master Potter, is still at work, reshaping and restoring you. Your flaws don’t disqualify you—they are part of the story He’s writing.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. Even when I feel marred by life’s hardships, You never give up on me. Help me trust that You are using my flaws and brokenness to create something beautiful. Thank You for being my faithful Potter. Amen.