Made From Something MarredSample

The Potter’s Diligence

In Jeremiah 18, God sends the prophet Jeremiah to the potter’s house. What Jeremiah observes is not the clay tending to itself, but the potter diligently working at the wheel. This is an encouraging reminder for us. As God’s creation, we are not left to figure out life on our own. The Potter, our God, is actively working on us, shaping and molding us into His vision for our lives.

What’s challenging, however, is that the Potter often works in silence. Many of us struggle with God’s silence during pivotal moments in our lives. We wonder why He isn’t speaking when we’re desperate for direction or reassurance. But even in His silence, God is working. His success is evident in our progress, our growth, and our ability to keep moving forward. The very fact that we’re still here, still being molded, is proof of His craftsmanship.

The King James translation of Jeremiah 18 uses the word “wrought,” highlighting God’s creative power. This is not just about making something; it’s about creating something valuable and usable. God takes what seems like nothing—our weaknesses, flaws, and struggles—and transforms it into something that not only exists but also produces fruit and brings value.

Consider the concept of grafting in horticulture. When a weak plant struggles to survive, a gardener doesn’t discard it. Instead, they graft its struggling vine onto the root system of a stronger plant. Through this connection, the weak plant thrives and produces more than it ever could on its own. Similarly, when we connect ourselves to God, the ultimate source of strength, we gain the ability to flourish beyond our natural limits. His power sustains us and enables us to bear fruit that we could never produce alone.

Reflection for Today: Are you struggling to hear God’s voice or sense His presence in your life? Take comfort in knowing that silence doesn’t mean absence. Trust that the Potter is still at work, shaping you into something extraordinary.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for being a diligent Potter who never gives up on me. Even when You are silent, help me trust in Your hands and believe that You are working all things together for good. Strengthen me as I stay connected to You, my source of life and growth. Amen.