Title: Even a muddy life is used
Mud life is also used (Jeremiah 18:1-17)
< Lessons from the parable of the potter >
Jeremiah 18 is a famous chapter known as “the potter's parable.” There are several lessons to be learned from this parable.
1. The potter is God
Just as the shape and fate of a vessel is in the hands of the potter, so the fate of life is also in the hands of Almighty God (verse 6). The potter has a complete plan for the clay and sees the finished work with his mind's eye. As such, God has a perfect plan for life. Just as a potter makes pottery with patience from clay, so God shapes us with patience through the hands of our parents, teachers, colleagues, and persecutors.
Sometimes someone stole my money. The more I think about it, the more it is unfair, but if you look deeply, that person is God's instrument to shape you. In some cases, they are greatly hurt by the believers. I feel unfair and hurt, and I think, “How can a person who believes do that?” But through him, my faith personality and values are formed. So have your eyes to see the hand of God beyond any phenomenon.
God allows difficult situations to make life a worthwhile work of art. Artwork is not just created. It takes time to become a work of value. But God is willing to wait. God is patiently waiting for us who are lacking, so there is no reason why we cannot wait patiently for the work of Almighty God.
2. Mud is human
Mud by itself is not of much value. But it is great when it is molded with the right hands for the right purpose. The incredible potential of an individual cannot be easily calculated. After all, anyone can be used wonderfully by God.
The most important quality that mud must have for a person's potential to become a reality is its compatibility. A good work cannot be made if the clay is not compliant. You don't know what a blessed virtue such obedience is. Wherever you go, always opposing, criticizing, and standing in opposition is an act that kills your potential. Even if you are not smart, there is a way for your potential to become a reality in your obedient disposition.
How do we become obedient, obedient to God's will? It becomes like mud. Mud is a mixture of soil and water. When we infer that the soil symbolizes man and the water symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit, if we gain the power of obedience through the work of the Holy Spirit, even the smallest of earth can be made into a marvelous vessel. If we gladly obey God's will in this way, our souls will surely come to life, our families will come to life, and our chances of blessings will increase significantly.
3. The potter's wheel is the environment
A potter's wheel is a swivel that rotates the clay to create a balanced shape. Who spins this potter's wheel? The potter turns the potter's wheel and the person who controls the speed is also the potter. what do you mean? The life of a believer is not controlled by chance or luck, but is thoroughly controlled by God. God best allocates our circumstances, and they shape us.
There are things to remember when crises come, prayer topics arise, and your soul and heart are struggling. It is a fact that crises and problems are channels of God's grace. Crisis and problems do not arise by chance, but are given by God. It is the attitude of faith to believe that it is an opportunity given by God and move on, even if the difficulties have come because of one's own mistakes and mistakes.
You may feel strange about the difficult circumstances you face and think that God is only unkind to you. However, if we keep holding on to God and go out in faith, one day we will come to realize the truth of Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good.
4. The kiln is an ordeal
Once the potter has completed the shape with the clay pot, he now puts it in a hot kiln and begins to bake it. Any vessel is of no use until it has passed through a hot kiln. The hot heat of the kiln gives strength and beauty to the vessel, increasing its usefulness and value. So do not be too afraid of the trials of the kiln.
There was a lump of mud. It was abandoned mud that no one looked for or noticed. Then one day a potter made a shape with him. said mud. “The potter! What are you doing? Why are you making me so uncomfortable? It's hard, so just leave me alone."
Then the potter said, “Not yet.” And when I put the clay pot on a potter's wheel and turned it, I got dizzy and couldn't stand it. After a while, the lump of clay took the shape of white porcelain. Mud says "It's over!" And sighing, the potter put him back into the kiln. Mud shouted. “The potter! Now leave me alone. It’s so hot I can’t stand it.” Then the potter laughed and said, “Not yet.”
Finally the captain took him out and put him in a cool place. Mud sighed. “Now you are alive! Now it's over. Now I will go back to my original life.” But the potter picked himself up and painted and painted. The gooey paint made him uncomfortable, and he couldn't breathe, so Dogi shouted. “The potter! Please stop now.” Then the potter said again. “It’s not over yet.”
After the painting was finished, the potter put the pottery back into the kiln. That kiln was twice as hot as the first kiln. Doggy shouted again. “The potter! I can't stand it anymore. It's so hot I'm about to die. Please take it out.” Again said the potter. “It’s not over yet.” Finally, the potter opened the kiln and placed the pottery on the shelf.
After some time the potter came to him with a mirror. Dogi was startled when he saw himself in the mirror. It has turned into a very beautiful figure. He couldn't believe his change. There was not a single look of the old lump of mud. In the old days, no one wanted them, but now they have turned into valuable, expensive, unique and beautiful celadon. Because the potter made himself so beautiful.
That is how God made us. God is slowly making us wonderful. There are hardships and trials along the way. There are times when this kind of lament comes out. "God! Please get me out of this kiln. It's too hard. I can't do anything with my children. I cannot bear this pain any longer.” Then God will laugh and speak. “It’s not over yet.”
God knows how to make us our best work. Sometimes I think to myself. “I am too short. He has a dirty temper, his mouth is rough, and he really does not deserve to be a disciple.” In the same way, he sees himself as a lump of clay, but God turns that clay into a beautiful celadon. We are not yet finished. God is still working through us. In the same way, when God molds himself and removes his impurities, God will make him the best work of art.
You will be surprised when you look back at yourself later. “God made me like this!” If you pass the test, the time of glory will come. Do not fight with God when God puts you in a potter's wheel and puts you in a furnace. Let God shape you. The sufferings of the present are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come. If you are willing to accept change, you will take advantage of what you lack and make it beautiful for God's holy purposes. Extreme difficulties are often given right before blessings.