The Great Potter

A new series of one of my favourite TV programmes has started on a Sunday evening, ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’. Here contestants are given quite challenging projects in clay to complete in a given time, which are then judged by two experts including Keith Brymer who is well known for welling-up with tears when he sees a beautifully-crafted ceramic! It is indeed wonderful to see how these artists transform a simple lump of clay into such lovely items of pottery.

It is true that humanity has a very deep relationship with the earth. The ancient biblical stories of creation include an account of how God created the first human ‘from the dust of the ground and breathed life into him’ (Genesis 2:7). The imagery of God sculpting and forming clay into human form illustrates the artistry of God who lovingly creates us, in some deep and mysterious way, in God’s own image (Genesis 1:7).

In this way, watching ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ reminds me both of how fragile, and how strong, humanity can be. When throwing a pot, the whole thing can collapse if the clay becomes too thin. When drying, the pot can crack if air-bubbles are left inside or, sometimes a pot can expand or contract, and the lid no longer fits. When being fired in intense heat, again the pot can crack. And sometimes the glaze can turn out a completely different colour than expected after firing! But once a piece of pottery has successfully been through the process to completion, it is very strong and durable, often very beautiful, lasting for years.

All these can give us a picture of humanity, and human beings. We are none of us perfect, our experience of life can cause us damage, making chips or cracks. But we are strong in that we know God creates us and breathes into us the power of the Holy Spirit.

Indeed, our ‘flaws’ make us so effective in our Christian mission to share the love of God. Think of Paul’s writing to the church at Corinth where he says, “For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6). This ‘treasure’ we hold within ourselves, as simple clay pots. Paul continues by saying that nothing, no trials or afflictions, no chips or cracks, can prevail against us because we have the faith that God will raise us up again, as God raised Jesus from death.

Paul concludes this part of his writing by encouraging people ‘not to lose heart’, no matter how difficult life is. We might say, ‘there is light at the end of the tunnel’ but Paul would say, the light of Jesus shines through us, bringing light and warmth into the lives of others – so very important in these continuing challenging times.

Also, let Mike know if you have particular prayer requests (for yourself or others) in these challenging and uncertain times and  If you would like to contribute a prayer, poem or reflection for the weekly Sunday service outline.