Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Potter

This year is my third year using a devotional written by Chris Tiegreen editor for indeed magazine at Walk Thru the Bible. (If you are looking for a devotional resource to use in addition to a systematic Bible reading plan, I highly recommend his stuff.) This week he has been in Jeremiah 18:1-10 talking about Jeremiah’s experience at the potter’s house.

Today’s devotion focused on the way God speaks to us through experience. As Jeremiah is sent to the potter’s house to observe the potter in action the illustration is much more powerful than if it had simply been presented in words. God speaks to us and shapes us by showing us His nature through our experiences. God also uses people to demonstrate who He is.

Someone once shared with me something that I did not want to be the case but I found out was true. While going through a season of adversity in my life this person said, “Dave, you are going to have to live it before you can preach it.” As much as I did not want to admit it, that was the case. Through that experience the Potter shaped me. While I would never want to experience it again, it has shaped me to be able to better do what God has called me to do.

God speaks to us through images not just words. The ultimate picture is Jesus Christ. God is looking to bring glory to Himself by redeeming a world that does not know or acknowledge Him. God is looking for people who will take the journey to the Potter’s house and then allow Him to shape them for His purpose. The ultimate purpose is that the world might know Him. God uses people to display who He is. And ultimately He is a God who refashions a lump of clay into beautiful, functional pottery. Will you allow the Potter to shape you so people can see Him?

1 comment:

Randy said...

I never heard of Chris Tiegreen, but looking on Amazon, some of his books look awesome! Thanks for the suggestion. :-)