The House of the Potter

Jeremiah 18:1-4 Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:  “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.”  So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working 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.

Jeremiah had the difficult task of telling the people of his day that God was not pleased with what was going on in Israel. He spoke of the coming doom and destruction of Israel at the hands of other nations. But Jeremiah also offered a word of hope that God would not abandon his people. God will prevail, and the promises of God will not be broken. God will rework his creation into that which is good and pleasing to God.

Have you ever watched a potter throw a pot on a wheel? Have you ever tried doing it yourself? It is not an easy task, and it takes gifted hands and great patience to make that clump of clay into a pot. The imagery of the potter at the wheel is one that offers hope. It is an imagery that can be related to our church.

God is the potter working the wheel. God gathered a group of people together and started a church called Epiphany. Epiphany Lutheran Church was founded on the mission and ministry of sharing God's word and caring for God's people. God has blessed Epiphany Lutheran Church with gifted leaders and devoted members, and our history is filled with events and activities that provided a beacon of hope and joy for this community and around the world.

Past events caused this vessel to be set off center on the potter's wheel. This earthen vessel was in need of some reworking in the potter's hand, as is often the case. Some things had to change - and they have. We have moved forward, knowing that God has embraced this creation, and continued to bless it with gifted leaders and devoted members. God did not abandon the vessel in his hands. No. Through the dedication and devotion of the leaders and members who make up Epiphany Lutheran Church, God has reworked us into a new vessel, as it seemed good for God to do.

How important it is to remember that God is the potter and we are the clay. God will continue to rework us, only if we are open to the direction of his guiding hands, and remember who is the potter and who is the clay. We need to continually be centered on God's will for us as individuals and as a community of faith. And if we are faithful, God who is faithful will bless us and the work that he calls us to do. That being said, this new vessel that God is reworking may look different than the vessel did before. Who we are and what we do will continue to be reworked in the potter's hand. Trust God to melt us, mold us, fill us and use us to do God's work with our hands. And when we get off center, as we often do, may we remember that God offers us the gift of forgiveness and reconciliation through Jesus Christ.

May we continue to pray for God's gifted hands to shape us in to a vessel pleasing in his sight, and may God continue to bless our efforts to do God's will.

Peace,
Pastor Charlie

Once again, I share a song - a simple refrain and a prayer.