Potter
The Lord is the potter and He can shape us as He will and as it suits His purpose. We don't have a lot to say in the matter. He can make us a vessel of honor such as a fine vase or a vessel of dishonor such as a rough kitchen utensil. It is simply that the vessels are made to be used for His service as He directs.
Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, �Why have you made me thus?� Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? �Romans 9:20-21
God is the Potter. We are his vessels. A potter has the absolute right to mold a lump of clay into a valuable vessel of honor�a vessel placed in a prominent place for people to enjoy. The same potter also has the absolute right to make out of a lump of clay a vessel of dishonor�a vessel to be placed in a corner where no one will notice. Our God has this absolute right, though it may be difficult for us to accept. God can make us noble and respected as well as humbled and disdained.
Regardless of whether a vessel is noble or humble, the vessels a good potter makes reflect all his skill and intentions. After all, whether the vessels are noble or humble, it is not according to the vessel�s choice, but rather the potter�s will. Therefore, noble vessels should not be proud, and humble vessels should not be bitter.
The potter has but one purpose, which is to make all vessels useful. If noble vessels are put in inappropriate places and yet do not magnify their usefulness, they are like useless trash. Humble vessels, though slighted, if properly used, are valuable and indispensable.
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