30 July 2020

Jeremiah went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel.
The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand,
and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.‘
From Jeremiah 18: 1-6 (NRSV)

Like Jesus, Jeremiah was good at looking at everyday things and seeing them as a way of talking about God. Most villages would have had a pottery producing everyday wares and, given that it is such a hypnotic sight, the chances are they would be used to a bit of an audience. Jeremiah watches something that was so common that most people no longer thought about it. The potter is at work, moulding the clay. At some point, the potter looks at what is emerging and decides that it is not good enough so re-kneads it and starts again – this time producing something worth keeping. For Jeremiah, this speaks of God looking at his people and seeing that they are not responding to the moulding… and, perhaps, it is time to rework it.

• • When have you had an insight like this – something ordinary somehow telling you something deeper?
  • Is God talking in words to Jeremiah – or awakening the sight and hearing of his heart to what is around him that speaks of God?

Treat yourself to five minutes watching the Potter’s Wheel Interlude – used in the early days of mass public broadcasting. Ponder Jeremiah’s words – and notice any insights that pop to mind as you gaze.