So for a lot of us on this trip, this season in our lives is a season of training and focusing on God and what He has in store for us. In the bible in 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 it refers to us as an earthen vessel. An “earthen vessel” is another name for a clay jar that was used to hold oil and grain. Before the clay could be shaped by a potter, stones and other large objects had to be removed. After the objects were removed the potter could start shaping and molding the clay. Once the clay was shaped it could either be sun dried or stuck in a kiln. If the jar was sun dried it could hold grain, but would collapse if filled with liquid. If the jar was heated in a kiln were the temp would reach over 900 degrees Fahrenheit, then it could be used to store oil and other liquids. He is the potter and we are the clay. He sees the potential of a masterpiece in us even when we can’t see it ourselves. He takes all the rocks or the things that are holding us back or harming us and picks them away. Whether it’s people in our life that don’t belong, idols, or even addictions. He molds us into something unique and because He loves us, He puts us in the kiln. We go into the fire and have a refining process. Once we go through the refining process, he can pour his oil or anointing into us and know that even if we are hard pressed on every side we will not be crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed. The process may not always be pleasant, but God will not leave us in the fire to burn up. He will bring us out at the perfect time and finish the process of making us into the people that we were created to be.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” -2 Corinthians 4:7-9
“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” Isaiah 64:8
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
“I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say, ‘ The Lord is my God’.” Zechariah 13:9
