When the piece is complete the Potter removes it from the wheel. This is done by sliding a piece of wire under to piece to “cut” it from the wheel. After drying on a shelf for a day or two, the Potter cuts away all of the excess clay from the bottom of the piece. At this time the Potter places His mark, or signature, on the piece to identify the piece as His creation. It is then placed on the shelf for sometimes weeks at a time to slowly dry and become what is called greenware. This means that the piece can be handled lightly but still needs to be fired to harden.
In reality we, as clay, can choose at anytime to remove ourselves from the Potter’s wheel.
We can decide that the road is too difficult and give up on His plan for us. In doing so, we will become nothing more than an old, dry, useless lump of clay. In addition, though we can not lose our relationship with the Potter and our eternity remains sealed, we will forfeit our fellowship with Him and never receive the Potter’s mark on our lives as a master creation.
After the vessel is thoroughly dry, it is placed into the kiln to be heated. For this firing, the bisque firing, the clay is heated to an uncomfortable 1700 degrees Fahrenheit over 24 hours. Again, the clay can decide at this point that it does not want to enter the fire. However, not going through the fire means only one thing. Without the fire the clay will rehydrate as soon as liquid of any kind is placed on or in it. It is not a useful vessel yet.
After being fired the first time, many vessels are done. Earthen ware flower pots at this point are complete. Most vessels, however, must be glazed and fired again, at a temperature of 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to seal there porous surfaces. By doing this that are made able to serve either liquid or food.
The fires are not fun. They are not comfortable. But they are necessary in order to be useful in the Potter’s service. Some of you may be in the fire right now. You may see that you are about to enter into the fire. We do not choose when we enter the fire. Oh we may get ourselves into hot water from time to time due to our decisions, but only the Potter determines when a vessel enters into the holy fire. However, rest assured that unlike an earthly potter, our Potter does not place us into the fire and walk away.
Daniel 3:24-25 (New International Version)
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Just like in the book of Daniel, He remains with us as we go through the firing.
MT
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