Last Sunday, like many preachers, I was tempted to take the easy way out and skip over a very difficult and perplexing Gospel text from Luke 14, and focus my comments on the more appealing image presented to us in Jeremiah 18. For what it is worth, I did not take the easy way out, and chose to tackle Luke head on…
In Jeremiah 18, the Lord commands the prophet to go to the potter’s house and watch the potter work at the wheel. The Lord speaks to Jeremiah there and tells him “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in my hand, O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18:6).
The image of God as potter and the people of God as clay is rich and powerful, but there is a problem. The problem is not with the image itself, but the reality. Speaking for myself, in the hands of God I am rarely as form-able and malleable as clay. I resist, and much of the time, I am not sure I like being bent and shaped. I resemble dried up hardpan more than I do pliable throwing clay! Perhaps you can relate?
The good news is this comes as no surprise to God. As the wonderful Psalm 139 from last Sunday reminds us, God created our innermost being and knows all our thoughts from afar! God knows the stubbornness of our hearts and wills, and anticipates as much in the rest of Jeremiah 18. It did not go well for Israel in the time of Jeremiah; see Jeremiah 19 for the conclusion of the potter/clay image.
Where is the good news? It is in this: God’s shaping and forming process continues on in spite of ourselves. The difference is the type of clay we become. We can be hardpan, or become more and more clay God can easily shape into a vessel of his choosing! God can (and will) work with hardpan, but it will be a much more difficult and painful process for us to endure. It is better to be clay.
Help us, Lord. Soften our hearts and wills and minds so that you might form us into something new! Help us to respond to, and rejoice in your shaping.
Not To Be Neglected
Last Musings, in introducing Steve Savia’s new responsibilities and role, I did not intend to do so at the neglect of our other staff members Brian and Mary Lou. Both do an excellent job, and are a blessing to all of us at CTR!
Mary Lou makes sure she presents our kids with a solid and fun lesson every week. I wish she had more kids to work with! The work party this coming Sunday creating a place our kids can own is a step in the right direction. (See article below.)
Brian does an excellent job selecting appropriate music each week, and working with (and expanding) our Music Team. From time to time, we have asked Brian to speak on Sunday. Most often, it has been when I am away — and that is a shame! Brian has a degree from Duke Divinity school, and is capable of doing much more than merely filling in! So this Sunday I am pleased that Brian has agreed to be our speaker and preacher. (I know, I should have had him preach this past week…) Don’t miss it!
Not To Be Forgotten
In addition to coming to hear Brian, join us Sunday as we have prayers remembering the 15th anniversary of 9/11.
See you Sunday!
