Life Ministries

Part 2 - “Cracked and Broken”
Scripture - Jeremiah 18:1-6a.

    Yesterday I began a short series of glimpses into my book “Jar of Clay” with the focus being on verse 6 where we heard - “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in my hand.” One treasure we found is that God, who is the potter, never gives up on us. He is always willing to start over because we are of great worth to Him. Some of us may see ourselves as cracked; He wants to mend us. Some may be broken; He wants to put our lives back together again. Some may even see themselves as disfigured; He wants us to find our beauty. Or maybe we think we are just plain and ordinary; but what we shall discover is that what we think we are, and the kind of vessel God desires to make of us, are often two different things.

    Do you realize that all the elements that are in clay are the same elements that are in us? The only difference is we have the breath of life that has been breathed into us by God Himself! Every one of us is a clay vessel in the hands of God.
    We also discovered from Jeremiah’s vision that the wheel represents life, and it is on the wheel of life that God molds us, shapes us, kneads us and softens us as He waits for us to become pliable in His hands.
    God has something good for each of us here in this story of the potter. Every turning of the wheel and every touch of His hand has been to make us according to the Divine pattern. God wants to make the very best he can of each of us. Whether He is making a water pot, a crock pot, or crystal vase, He wants it to be the best! As someone has said; “God don’t make no junk!”
     God is always calling for marred, cracked, and broken vessels to place themselves in the potter’s hand. So, let’s consider what God can do for you and for me when we are in His hands.
    Just imagine there is a big sign out there with hands beckoning; “marred vessels are welcome here, at the potter’s house.” Whatever part of your life you might consider to be marred; whatever the flaw or imperfection; the potter can help you. So He beckons – “Come to the potter’s house.” Every problem is welcomed at the potter’s house.
·       If you feel hopeless, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel helpless, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel burdened down, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel you are being controlled by the flesh, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you have attitudes that need to be changed, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you find it hard to forgive others, just come to the potter’s house.

Do you know that there are some people who just enjoy complaining and fussing?
·       If you like to complain and fuss, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel nobody loves you, or nobody cares about you, just come to the potter’s house.
·       If you feel resentment toward those around you, just come to the potter’s house.

    But, just a word of warning, As you come to the potter’s house, a marred, cracked and broken vessel, get ready to be placed in the hands of the potter. Be prepared to be put on the wheel so that you can become a smooth, pure, anointed, and holy restored vessel. "And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so the potter formed it into another vessel." (Jeremiah 18:4)