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The morning sun painted streaks of gold across the horizon, but the potter’s house stood cloaked in shadow. Inside, the rhythmic hum of the spinning wheel filled the air. A young apprentice watched intently as the master potter’s hands shaped a mound of clay into a vessel of exquisite beauty. But then, a flaw appeared—a crack marred the surface. The apprentice gasped, fearing the piece was ruined, but the potter did not pause. With patient hands, he folded the clay back into itself, reshaping, reforming, and pressing out the imperfections until the vessel was even stronger than before.
“Why didn’t you throw it away?” the apprentice asked. The master smiled, his eyes wise and kind. “Because I saw what it could become.”
“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” — Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)
We often see ourselves as the flawed vessel—chipped, cracked, or even shattered by the weight of our choices, circumstances, or sin. Yet, God is the master potter. His hands are steady, and His purpose is clear. He doesn’t discard us when we falter; instead, He reshapes and refines us into vessels that carry His glory.
In our brokenness, God’s strength is revealed. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). God does not require perfection; He seeks surrender.
A key question emerged: Does God see what we can become, or does He see what we truly are as His children? This profound inquiry illuminates two inseparable truths about God’s perspective on us:
In Christ, we are already fully loved, redeemed, and accepted. Paul writes in Ephesians 1:4-5, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.” This speaks to our identity: we are His children, not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has done.
God doesn’t measure us by what we might achieve but by the fact that we belong to Him. Through Jesus, we stand before God as righteous and whole, fully embraced as we are. He already sees us as His.
At the same time, God also sees the incredible potential within us—the people He created us to be. Like a loving parent or master craftsman, He sees the unique purpose for which He designed us. Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God’s work in us is ongoing. While we are already His children, He shapes us daily to reflect more of His character and glory. This is not about striving to earn His love but allowing His Spirit to transform us, step by step, into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
In Jesus, our salvation is already complete. “It is finished,” Jesus said on the cross (John 19:30). This means our position before God is secure, and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Yet, God invites us to participate in His ongoing work in our lives. He sees the masterpiece He is crafting in us, as Ephesians 2:10 declares: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” This isn’t about achieving worth; it’s about living out the fullness of what He has already given us.
God sees what we truly are—His children, redeemed by Christ. At the same time, He sees what we can become as we grow into the fullness of His purpose for our lives. These truths coexist beautifully: He has already achieved salvation for us, and He is still achieving His glory through us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
God speaks to His people in exile, assuring them of His unchanging purpose. Even in brokenness, He sees not just their current state but the hope and future He is crafting.
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” — 1 John 3:2
This verse beautifully ties together the “already” and “not yet” aspects of our identity. We are God’s children now, and yet, there is more to be revealed as we are transformed into Christ’s likeness.
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” — Psalm 138:8
David trusts that God will complete what He has started. The psalm reminds us that God’s commitment to us is unwavering.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” — Proverbs 16:3
This shows the partnership between God’s sovereignty and our trust. As we surrender to Him, He aligns our lives with His greater purpose.
Isaiah 64:8 (Key Verse): This passage is set within a communal prayer of confession and hope. Israel acknowledges their dependence on God, likening Him to a potter who lovingly shapes their lives. The verse emphasizes both humility and trust in God’s creative sovereignty.
2 Corinthians 4:7: Paul’s use of “jars of clay” points to human frailty, yet it is through this weakness that God’s power is displayed. This parallels the potter-clay imagery, reminding us that our flaws do not disqualify us—they magnify God’s grace.
God sees you as His child—redeemed, loved, and cherished. Yet, He also sees the masterpiece He is forming in you. His work in your life is both finished and ongoing, complete in Christ and still unfolding in His hands. This tension is not one to solve but to embrace, resting in His grace while walking in faith.
Lord, You are my Creator and Redeemer. Thank You for loving me as I am and for shaping me into who You created me to be. Help me to rest in the truth of my identity as Your child and to trust You as You continue Your work in my life. Teach me to see myself and others with Your eyes of grace and purpose. Shape me, Lord, and let Your glory shine through my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
