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This scripture really got my mind and heart going. The Watchtower article Appreciating Jehovah as Our Potter talks about Jehovah molding us now in the spiritual paradise as an expression of his love, and in the literal paradise he "will make our minds and bodies perfect, so that we will be able to absorb his teaching and do his will flawlessly." He can see the inner person AND the kind of person we can become in his capable hands. We're not a finished product yet, but a work in progress. How beautiful that he takes a positive view of us and doesn't focus on temporary imperfections but he focuses on our good qualities and our potential.
The comparison of Jehovah being a Potter made me think of some parallels with how actual pottery is made that I found by exploring online ...
• potter has to add water = Ephesians 5:26, 27 -- the Bible is the water = personal study
• potter can only work with clay that's soft/malleable = we have to always make sure to have the right qualities -- especially humility -- so we're capable of being molded into different shapes easily without breaking or cracking
• clay has to be pressed and squeezed to remove air bubbles (because they can cause pieces to explode when the clay is fired in the oven, can cause the finished product to have lumps in it, or a big bubble left on the main part of the pot could weaken that wall) = we really need to let Jehovah work out our air bubbles, otherwise we’re not easy for him to work with, and we’re risking spiritual lumpiness, weakness and explosion
• clay has to be centered in the middle of the wheel (or it'll tear apart before he can finish the process) = we have to be properly centered spiritually, focused on Jehovah and Jesus
• potter's wheel has to turn at a slow and steady pace (if too fast the clay will tear apart) = we need to be patient with Jehovah's pace for molding us, don't rush him -- he knows what he's doing
• potter's hands go deep into the middle of the clay to shape it = Jehovah goes down deep into our heart/soul/spirit -- we have to give him the green light to do this type of inner work in us (like surgery) and vulnerably cooperate
• clay starts growing as it spins on the wheel = when we let Jehovah shape us, we really grow
• potter's eyes are always on the clay = once we surrender to Jehovah, he'll never take his eyes and attention off us
• potter cuts off excess clay accumulating around the pot as the spinning is molding and shaping it = Jehovah will prune bad habits/attitudes/qualities that still may be operating in our personality
This also reminded me of an illustration someone wrote called "The Tea Cup". It poetically describes how we feel as that lump of clay but how everything we go through is shaping us into a work of art that is also valuably useful to Jehovah.
I’d love to hear anyone's thoughts/feelings/comments if you're willing to share ideas and insights. Doesn't have to be a novel, I'm happy with nuggets too! Anytime on any subject, you can always feel free.
Just for fun here’s a mesmerizing video of a talented potter (Eric Landon) creating works of art.
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