There are several biblical passages that liken God to a potter and us to clay. The Creator has the right to transform and shape the lives of His children as He sees fit, and to build us in the image of His Son ("And those He predestined He also elected before the creation to be like His Son, so that Christ might be the firstborn among many brothers" – Romans 8:29*). In other words, He helps us not to conform to this world and not to give in to our old passions ("Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will" – Romans 12:2*; "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance" – 1 Peter 1:14*).
The problem arises when we do not like the process of being molded. Then we argue with our Potter and complain about the difficulties and suffering that sometimes result from this process. Isaiah 45:9* says: "Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?'" Our role as clay is to remain flexible and compliant with God's purposes—to not allow certain areas of our life to harden and resist His attempts to shape us.
God will work on removing those hard lumps so that He can build us into vessels that are useful and bring Him joy. Our responsibility is to accept any change from our Master-Potter. We can do this with confidence because we are in His competent, skilled, and loving hands. And that is the safest and most fulfilling place we could be.
Link to the original article: https://www.intouchuk.org/read/daily-devotions/molded-by-the-master
*Biblical quotes are from the Holy Bible, new translation from the original languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013