Earthen Vessels 

   “But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God, not from us. (1 Cor 4: 7) 

   A potter molds his clay into the shape he desires and for the use he intends.  If it is not what he intended it to be, or doesn’t please him, he can start again and remake it.

   Like the potter, God created us for a purpose.  However, if we don’t turn out the way He intended, He will not remake us without our permission.  A lump of clay can’t say to the potter that it will not do as he intended, but we, with our free will, can say no to God’s plans for us.

   God will not force us to serve His purpose, He will allow us to go our own way if that is our desire.  However, if we choose to fill ourselves with worldly desires, we reject God and His love.  “For the Lord, your God, is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4: 24).

   And what is God's purpose for us, what does He ask of us?  Nothing more than what He has given to us, love.  He asks us to love Him as perfectly as we are able though we can never love as He loves in this lifetime.

   When we love Him in this way will we have begun to fulfill the purpose for which we were created; to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.