Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/76

Contributor - Mrs. Henry Van Essen

Title - Clay

Topic - Women

Intrigued I watched the potter kicking his wheel and working the ball of clay on the turntable into a pot. It was a beautiful summer day, and we were on our yearly day out. The whole class stood around the wheel and watched the potter at work.

He worked very concentrated, molding the lump of clay with strong hands. I was fascinated by his hands - they seemed so strong, yet very tender. It seemed as if he was caressing the clay pot. He was creating something out of nothing. Creating something out of a ball of clay. But he had something in mind, he knew what he wanted, and the clay molded under his hands, when he formed it to his liking. His hands were strong, yet loving, because it was his piece of work, his creation. When the pot was finished and he took it off the wheel, I could breathe again. Oh, it was beautiful, There was a longing deep inside me to do something like this. To be creative . . .

The next time I saw a potter at work, was some thirty years later. Again it was a sunny summer day. The boys and I took our bikes and went out exploring. We where living in Grootegast, Groningen at the time, and we made bicycle trips whenever we could.

This time, we ended up in Midwolde. We visited the old chapel that belonged to "Huize Nienoord". Part of the chapel dates from 1100. There's a beautiful marble tomb in the church, made in 1665, which catches the visitors eye immediately. These old churches always fill me with awe. Thinking about all those generations who worshipped here . . . . times gone by .... But I'm drifting away.

After visiting the chapel, we went to Huize Nienoord, and there, in one of the annex buildings was again "the potter" and again the onlookers watching how the clay was molded. Each of the boys took a tiny pot home and it's still treasured as a re-' membranes about the potter and the trip we made that day. On the way home, one of the boys remarked: "Remember mom, the song we used to sing in Canada about the Potter and the clay?" Yes I remembered so well, I had sung it so often, in church and at -home. Sometimes after a struggle of not wanting to give in, till finally I could say:

"Yes, Lord, have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will . . ."

MOLD ME

Now, that I am working with clay myself, I even understand better what it means to be molded. Clay must have a certain consistency to be workable. It must be ready to be worked with. Pottery is a very old art and through research we know that in bible times it was practised at a high level. The example about the potter and the clay is often used in the bible. In Jeremiah 18 we read that Jeremiah was sent to the potter's house to watch the potter at his wheel.

"And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do" (vs. 4).

And in Romans 9 vs. 21 we read: "Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use?"

Yes, we are clay in the Potters hand, but if we want the Lord to work in us and through us, we must be workable. We must be open and willing to listen to Him. Often I think about my first impression of the potter about his strong, yet tender hands - how lovingly he made his piece, not one exactly the same as the other. Each one unique in itself. Different pots, for different purposes. What a beautiful example to use the potter and the clay.

When we come to think about God the Potter, and we, the clay, it's even more beautiful. Once clay hardens it will be baked or fired and it's a permanent pot. Nothing can be altered about its shape anymore - but God, the Potter, keeps on working with us the clay. Patiently, lovingly, molding us to his will - and again I stand in awe of the Potter, because I can not comprehend it. He Keeps on working with me. There may be times that I, like clay, dry out and become stiff, but by His grace, He calls me again and again and says, "Come My child, I have some molding to do! "

Will you let yourself be molded too?

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!

Hold o'er my being Absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see

Christ only, always, living in me!

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