THE POTTER’S PURPOSE

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS PURPOSE – Romans 8:28

When the potter is positioned at his wheel to work with a lump of clay, he has a purpose in mind for that lump of clay. His purpose may be to turn that lump of clay into a bowl, a cup, a pitcher, or a vase.  As he works that piece of clay, his goal will be to work towards the fulfilment of that purpose. That is how it is with our Father God – the eternal Potter. The Potter’s Purpose is to make us Vessels of Honour and Glory. His intention is to transform us by His grace, from a worthless piece of clay into “beautiful vessels” that will bring glory and honour to Him. We can however choose to yield to His Purpose or resist and rebel against His brimming embrace.

Ezekiel 16 describes Jehovah’s compassionate commitment to transforming Jerusalem, having rescued her from an ignoble birth and polluted nativity. God found her as a cast-off new-born babe, left to die by itself, and said to it, “Live”! (v.6). He then nurtured her to grow up and blossom into a well-developed young woman; courted and married her by a covenant relationship; washed away her blood and anointed her with perfumes and oil; clothed her with broidered work and the finest of attire; girded her feet with badger skin shoes, and her skin with fine linen and silk; decorated her with ornaments, bracelets, necklace, jewel, earrings, and a crown; decked her with gold and silver; fed her with the best of food; and made her exceedingly beautiful, prosperous, and famous. All of these, only for Jerusalem to veer into wickedness and whoredom!

In the light of the New Testament, the vessels that would bring the greatest honour and glory to God are those that are conformed to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 says: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Paul wrote in Galatians 4:19, “My little children, for whom I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you.”

In the hands of our Heavenly Father, we are not simply toys to play with, tools to work with, or pets to pamper; we are designed to be Vessels for His Service, for the flow of His Grace, and for the Display and Glow of His Glory. We were made by God for God. Our value is not found in our own perceptions but in His pleasure. Our most glorious manifestations are found in submission to the shaping Hand of the Perfect Potter.