The Master’s Hand

by

Alberta Fisher

Ask Question: “Do any of you ever feel you have little value in life?”

There are times in our lives when we all feel this way. Sometimes the feelings of low self esteem are due to our responsibilities at home, church and work. At times we all feel like we are of little value and that our role in life is not as important as someone else’s.

Read Scripture: “’Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel’”. - Jeremiah 18:6 NAS

We are as clay in the Master’s hand. He desires to shape us and form us into a useful vessel.

Read Scripture: “Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use, and another for common use?” - Romans 9:21

Even though each individual has different talents and abilities, we are all useful in the kingdom of God.

Following is an illustration that best describes how a vessel is created in the hands of a potter. This can demonstrate each of us in the hands of our Master.

A potter’s designated task was to make a teacup. He began with a small piece of red clay.

He began to pat the clay – sometimes not too gently. The piece of clay said, “Master, don’t do that – you’re hurting me.” After he felt the clay was of the proper texture, he began to shape the clay – squeezing, poking, pulling and twisting. The clay said, “Will you please leave me alone – I’m happy the way I am. Besides that, I don’t enjoy riding on this wheel. It makes me so dizzy.”

Then the potter decided the teacup was ready to be baked in an oven, “Master, oh, master, let me out. It’s so hot in here. You are being so mean to me.”

The teacup felt so good after he got out of the fire. Little did he know what was to come. His master began to gently stroke on paint in varying shades and colors to form a lovely design to beautify his handiwork. “Master, don’t keep stroking me with that awful smelling paint. Can’t you just leave me alone? I think I’m allergic to that paint!”

Finally, the master craftsman had finished his prized teacup. The beautiful teacup was placed on the shelf and soon purchased by someone to be used for tea.

The teacup thought to himself many times after that, “I’m so glad the master didn’t give up on me – He created me into something useful.”

Many times we don’t understand it when God is putting us through difficult times or stretching us spiritually to use our talents for Him. As you can see from the above illustration, he is striving to make us into a useful vessel for Him.

As the old song goes, “He’s still working on me!