Silly Putty.

But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Jeremiah 18:4

Silly Putty is plastic clay sold in toy stores in a plastic egg. It bounces, but breaks when given a sharp blow. It can also flow like a liquid and will form a puddle given enough time. Kids love it because you can create almost any shape out of it that you can imagine. What Silly Putty becomes is a function of who has it in their hands. Similarly, Christians are the product of the hands of God.

We are in a constant state of becoming. Paul says in Philippians the third chapter that he has not attained the prize but he presses forward, straining to reach his goal. Our key scripture Jeremiah 18:4 paints the picture of a potter who is making a pot that becomes misshapen. He takes the same clay and begins to shape a new pot, presumably one devoid of blemishes. As Christians, we are forced to rely on the grace, mercy and love of God. He forgives us and begins the process over and over again of throwing us back onto the potter’s wheel, centering us and forming a better vessel. In the skillful hands of God, we can become beautiful instruments that can be used to serve peace, love, joy and harmony.

I pray today that you are open to the constructive criticism and instruction and molding it takes to create a finished product.

Deacon Larry Woodard