“…As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand”
(Jeremiah 18:6 NKJV)

As a child, I had a creative side that my parents nurtured. I did years of design throughout primary & high school. Working with many mediums such as: watercolours, textiles, oil paint, pastels, charcoal and mosaics to name a few. Once I started Uni, all these interests fell away. Now, as the corporate hustle demands more and more of my time and energy, it’s been important for me to carve out my calendar to rekindle old hobbies/passions – and so begins my ceramics era.

I’ve started by experimenting with air-dry clay. The end result is the same, without the arduous throwing clay > kiln process. I’m finding this exercise to be equal parts therapeutic, rewarding, and—wait for it—frustrating. Why is it frustrating you ask? Well, the clay fought me for the entirety of the process. Every time I shaped it, the clay made its own decisions. It took me hours.

I bought a series of tools, all varying in size, shape, weight, and sharp edges. Metal, plastic, and wooden pieces – all designed to serve a different purpose. Some are used to create textures, others for layering, shaping, restructuring. One tool specifically peels the clay away in order to create walls or indents in the object. Important to note: I am a beginner, and I’m sure those who have mastered the craft would not require two hours to make a set of coasters and one trinket dish. However, I’m also sure seasoned professionals would agree that clay is a challenging medium to work with.

Novice Musings

How many times have we heard the potter & clay sermon (Jeremiah 18)? I’ve personally lost count. The potter and clay metaphor is one of the most commonly used in Christendom. It’s up there with the Good Shepherd. The core themes are simple: God is the Potter, and we are the clay. So when I set out to create a set of coasters, one of the first things that came to mind was how I am the clay. I never really considered the Potter’s perspective until that moment.

My key learnings so far:

• Vision – the importance of the end goal for your object. I tried to create a heart-shaped trinket dish and sketched out my design; however, it was far too small. I miscalculated the ratio of the design, and when it came to constructing the walls, I was in over my head. I had to pivot with my design choices and make peace with the fact that it was only a first attempt. My vision was only half achieved.

• Clay Shaping – it’s cumbersome and painstaking. From sourcing the clay, cutting the clay to shaping it. Finding the right balance of pressure and applying the right amount of water to hydrate the clay was a herculean task. Too much water, and the clay will crack once fully dry. Without water, the clay isn’t malleable enough. Too much pressure, and the clay becomes too thin.

• Drying – you need a minimum of 48 hours. As the clay dries, it loses its original shape since the water evaporates. The clay also shrinks to a certain degree. Without the proper objects supporting the clay, it ends up drying with an uneven shape. So, the environment around the clay must also be appropriate in order for it to dry into its final form.

• Sanding – small air bubbles form, and there are uneven ridges from the hand-shaping process. You need to sand the object as a final reshaping exercise, before you can create a smooth enough surface to paint.

• Patience – between each step, the waiting is crucial. In your haste to finish your pieces, you will be tempted to add a second layer of paint, believing the first coat is dry enough—which is not the case. I learnt that one the hardest way possible. Applying the second coat too early peeled away the base coat. Those who know me know, I am not virtuous when it comes to this particular fruit of the Spirit. I had no choice but to start again and let the paint dry fully this time. I decided to use the waiting time to be productive in other ways and not fixate on how frustrating the waiting felt.

• Trust – there were moments I wanted to give up because the shaping didn’t work out, or the painting process was messy. Some of the colours I mixed didn’t have the intended finish. Brushstrokes were uneven. The shape of the clay wasn’t symmetrical, and one of the pieces I made broke in half. I decided to lean into the broken pieces and create a dish anyway.

Spiritual coat of paint

As I reflected on the entirety of this process, I started to apply a spiritual lens:

1. He is the Author & Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He has a very clear vision and purpose for our lives. Each one of His creations is wonderfully made, unique by design. He delights in the process. At no point during the process does God need to pivot with His master design or change His vision
   
   
2. The process is PAINFUL. It’s slow, and the different shaping tools are uncomfortable when used. A lot of varying levels of pressure must be applied. No part of this process is comfortable for the clay. There is resistance from the clay at each step, which perfectly captures the human condition. We are stubborn, foolish, and set in our ways. The Lord allows seasons of pain, distress and uncertainty to mold us into His final masterpiece. The clay does not understand the next steps, in the same way we often understand little of the plans He has for us, or why He allows certain events or circumstances in our lives (Isaiah 55:8–9)
   
   
3. The potter has to be patient, as does the clay. The waiting time between each step had me itching. However, I was also excited for the next step. We as Believers should be excited in the waiting season for what God is going to do. We’re so focused on the frustration of the waiting, we don’t think about the great things He is going to accomplish in the next chapter or seasons of this life. (Isaiah 60:22) In your waiting season, are there other ways to serve in the vineyard? People who you can connect with, new hobbies to invest in, finding creative ways to spend time in your Bible? Or perhaps the focus is refining your prayer life? Equally important is your environment – the company we keep. You need your spiritual accountability circle and a strong community that upholds you in prayer, those who will intercede on your behalf. (Proverbs 12:26)
   
   
4. It’s so hard to trust what we can’t see, but remember “ faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV). That’s the true measure of our faith. You don’t need to know the details; in fact, it’s not our prerogative as humans to demand an explanation or negotiate terms with Him. I can confirm I certainly have the audacity to do both, frequently questioning His plans for my life. Applying human logic and then failing to understand. I often fall into frustrated spirals because I am unable to negotiate information out of an omniscient and omnipotent God. He exists outside of our human parameters of time and logic. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned this year is, there is peace in not knowing the details. He says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Since He already knows, we need only trust that He’s already seen it through (Proverbs 3:5–6).

The Miry Clay

If you have never worked with clay, I highly recommend it. Especially in our walk with Christ, it gives you a firsthand perspective as the potter, and contextualises how we conduct ourselves as the clay. It gave me a fresh understanding and appreciation for how our Heavenly Father is infinitely patient with me. It was a reminder of my own unworthiness when it comes to His love, attention, and concern as He shapes me into the person He wants me to become.

I forget that He is a holy God. I fail to comprehend the fullness of His deity. As I’m bound to this carnal flesh, I lack the ability to truly understand the depth of His glory, holiness, and perfection. Yet the same God chooses to have an intimate and loving relationship with me.

The Finished Product

Our life is not our own once we decide to follow Him. We want to pick up our cross daily, but instead of following His will, we often return to our pre-planned route. It feels safe and aligns with our interests and what society dictates as acceptable. With recent world events, it’s a reminder that we don’t have much time here, and to believe that we are promised a long life is a fallacy. Ultimately, we don’t know when He will call us home. We don’t know when He will finish the work in us. The goal is to spend eternity with Him. So when He asks me what I did with this one life, I have to ask myself—will it measure up to His divine calling?

Are you trusting Him to shape you into His masterpiece today?