Clay. I left our staff meeting last week with clay on my mind. No we didn't do a team building exercise using clay but if we would have been searching scripture during our discussion of community ministries here at JCPC, I'm convinced our minds would have turned to that material that is fashioned in a potter's hand. Clay.

After the meeting, my mind dialed up several scripture passages that speak about our relationship to God using this earthy metaphor. Here are two that jumped out at me:

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us." 
-2 Corinthians 4:7

"Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, 'Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?' declares the Lord. Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel."   -Jeremiah 18: 5-6

So what had me thinking about clay when I left our staff meeting? We were discussing three unique ministry/missions of JCPC which help to shape young lives in our community. Each of these ministries is inspired by the knowledge that young souls are shaped or should I say molded through the attentive care of skilled potters.

Our preschool with its wonderful staff and teachers has been molding the clay of little one's for several decades now. The same is true of our scouting program as its selfless leaders have been molding timeless virtues. Newer on the scene, but with potter skill none-the-less is our Academy of Fine Arts. Years ago, I learned that "music is the universal language of hope" and the Academy is helping to shape hope in aspiring artists.

Together, in the hands of the potter, these ministry/missions of JCPC mold into earthen vessel's souls that learn to trust through loving care; learn to behave through life-giving and life-sustaining virtues, and learn the type of hope that transcends the toil and tear of daily living. "Like clay in the hand of the potter..."

Little wonder I was thinking of clay! Please take the time to pray for these ministries of the potter!

Prayer for Today

Eternal God, you are the potter and we are your clay. Model us into the people you would have us to become, so that through our lives, your love and your glory will shine brightly in the darkness of our world. Amen.