What's My Purpose?

“Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do." - Jeremiah 18:2-4

Have you ever watched a potter work with clay? It's pretty interesting. The potter has to make sure the clay doesn't get too dry; has to make sure the wheel spins at just the right speed; has to make sure the right pressure is applied in the right places at the right time to form the vessel.

I remember hearing this story in Sunday School. I had been discouraged and after hearing this story I told my pastor that God must be turning me into a dog dish. My pastor, whose keen wisdom had a way of clarifying even the most muddled minds, told me, "The potter makes whatever he wants out of the clay, but every piece he makes has a purpose to serve. You think you are being made into a dog dish? When we put food in the dog's dish we are showing the dog that we love them. So if God wants you to be a dog dish, share that love with every dog you see."

What is God turning you into? God makes each of us for a purpose. God has never made a mistake or a worthless pot, and He's not going to change that record for you.