Recently, I was invited to attend a group pottery class for a birthday celebration. The instructor informed us that it would be a messy process and provided aprons for each person in the group.

All beginners, we were instructed on how to sit at the spinning wheel and how to utilize the pedal.

As directed, I used the foot pedal to control the spinning of the wheel, pounded the clay onto the wheel’s surface, placed one hand firmly on the top to flatten the clay, and we were off to a great start.

The fist-size ball of clay was cold and dry at first. We were given a small bowl of water and a sponge to add moisture. That’s when things got messy.

Hands-in-clay, I thought of Jeremiah’s experience at the potter’s house, “…can I not do with you as this potter, says the Lord. Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hands; so are you in My hands.”

Just as the thought came to mind, the instructor brought me back to life. “Push downward in the middle of the clay with one hand, and use the other hand to guide the sides of the clay upwards” she said. That's when I remembered—girl, you don't have a clue, no experience with clay, so following the instructor was a must.

In my hands, the clay didn’t have much of a chance. But in God’s Hands—a master piece is created.

As with Jeremiah, an experienced pottery maker is our example of appropriate molding and shaping needed to create a vessel of honor. Shaping a master piece requires a Master.

So, I said to myself, "Self, make sure you're always in the right hands." My hands won’t do—God’s Hands are required to shape a character pleasing to the Master. No doubt, it’ll get messy. Pounding, pressing, pushing, guiding, grasping, gripping; scraping, scaling, and sculpting are necessary and expected from loving hands to create a unique piece fit for service.

It's the Season of Reshaping. I’m in good hands—God’s Hands.