Embracing Change: God's Ongoing Work in Our Lives
Summary
Summary
In this season of Easter, we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and reflect on its ongoing impact in our lives. The journey from Easter to Pentecost is not just a commemoration of past events, but an invitation to participate in God’s creative, transforming work. God, like a potter at the wheel, is continually shaping and reshaping us, using the same clay—our very selves—no matter how many times we become lopsided or broken. The imagery of clay reminds us that we are not static or set in stone; we are made to be adaptable, flexible, and open to change.
Change is a constant in life, and our responses to it are varied. Sometimes we long for change, especially when we seek forgiveness or a fresh start. Other times, change brings anxiety, uncertainty, or even resistance, whether it’s the big shifts in our world or the small disruptions in our daily routines. Yet, God’s relationship with us is rooted in forgiveness and renewal. God does not discard us when we falter; instead, God patiently reforms and restores us, inviting us to become new creations.
The biblical story of Jeremiah at the potter’s house illustrates God’s persistent, loving work in our lives. God’s commitment is not to abandon us when we fail, but to keep working with us, molding us into vessels of hope, joy, and love. This process requires our willingness to be changed, to let go of what is familiar or comfortable, and to trust in God’s vision for something more beautiful and whole.
We are called to embrace our God-given creativity and flexibility, to see ourselves as participants in God’s ongoing creation. Whether through art, play, or simply being open to new experiences, we can discover the dynamic nature of God and the life-giving possibilities that come with change. Jesus, the living water and the true vine, models for us a life that is always moving, growing, and bearing new fruit. As we say yes to God’s invitation to change, we step into a life that is resilient, hopeful, and deeply connected to the Creator’s loving hands.
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Key Takeaways
- God’s Work Is Ongoing and Personal
God is not a distant creator who sets things in motion and walks away. Like a potter, God is intimately involved in our lives, continually shaping and reshaping us, even when we falter or become “lopsided.” This means our failures are not the end, but opportunities for God’s creative renewal and restoration. [09:05]
- Change Is Both Inevitable and Redemptive
Life is full of changes—some we welcome, others we resist. Yet, God uses all kinds of change, even the uncomfortable or uncertain, to draw us closer and to form us into people who reflect God’s love and justice. Embracing change with faith allows us to experience God’s redemptive power in every season. [10:42]
- We Are Made for Flexibility, Not Rigidity
God did not make us out of stone, but out of clay—malleable, adaptable, and capable of transformation. Our spiritual growth depends on our willingness to be flexible, to learn, and to be remade by God’s hands. This flexibility is a gift that enables us to survive and thrive, especially in times of upheaval. [20:33]
- Forgiveness Is the Foundation of New Creation
God’s forgiveness is not just about erasing past mistakes; it is the starting point for becoming something new. When we accept God’s forgiveness, we allow ourselves to be re-formed, to let go of what is broken, and to step into the newness God envisions for us. This is the heart of resurrection living. [18:59]
- Our Response: Embrace Creativity and Say Yes to God’s Invitation
God invites us to participate in the ongoing work of creation by tapping into our own creativity and openness to change. Whether through art, play, or simply a willingness to try new things, we reflect God’s dynamic nature. Saying yes to God’s invitation to change leads us into a life of deeper joy, hope, and purpose. [27:37]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:43] - Opening Prayer and Play-Doh Invitation
[06:19] - Longfellow’s “The Song of the Potter”
[06:55] - The Cycle of Life and Human Unity
[09:05] - Jeremiah and the Potter’s House
[10:42] - Wrestling with Change and Salvation
[11:32] - Types of Change: Forgiveness and Life Transitions
[12:44] - Excitement and Anxiety About Change
[14:11] - Real-Life Stories of Uncertain Change
[15:30] - The Challenge of Small Changes
[16:26] - Our Reactions to Everyday Disruptions
[17:37] - God’s Dynamic Creativity and the Potter’s Lesson
[18:59] - God’s Persistent Forgiveness and Renewal
[20:33] - We Are Made of Clay, Not Stone
[22:27] - Our Response: Willingness to Be Changed
[23:18] - C.S. Lewis and the Choice to Embrace Change
[25:39] - The Cost and Reward of Transformation
[26:25] - Embracing Creativity in Daily Life
[27:37] - Jesus as the Model of Dynamic Living
[28:46] - Blessing: Blessed Are the Flexible
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Shaped by the Potter—Embracing Change and New Creation
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### Bible Reading
Jeremiah 18:1-6 (The Potter and the Clay)
> This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.”
John 15:1-5 (The Vine and the Branches)
> “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ... Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. ... I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In the story from Jeremiah, what does the potter do when the clay becomes “lopsided” or doesn’t turn out right? ([09:05])
2. According to the sermon, what are some different ways people respond to change in their lives? ([11:32])
3. What are some images Jesus uses to describe himself and his relationship to us, as mentioned in the sermon? ([27:37])
4. How does the sermon describe God’s attitude toward our failures or mistakes? ([18:59])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean for God to be like a potter who keeps working with the same clay, even after it’s been messed up? How does this shape our understanding of God’s patience and commitment to us? ([09:05])
2. The sermon says God made us out of clay, not stone. What does this suggest about how God wants us to approach change and growth? ([20:33])
3. Why do you think God chooses to keep reshaping us instead of starting over with someone else? What does this say about God’s love and forgiveness? ([18:59])
4. The sermon mentions that embracing change can be uncomfortable or even painful, but it leads to something more beautiful and whole. Why might God allow us to go through uncomfortable changes? ([25:39])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a recent change in your life—big or small. How did you respond to it? Was your first reaction excitement, anxiety, resistance, or something else? What might it look like to invite God into that change? ([12:44])
2. The sermon says God doesn’t throw us away when we mess up, but patiently reshapes us. Is there an area in your life where you feel “lopsided” or broken? What would it mean to let God reshape you there? ([09:05])
3. The image of clay is about being flexible and open to transformation. Are there places in your life where you are being rigid or resistant to change? What is one step you could take to be more flexible this week? ([20:33])
4. The sermon encourages us to embrace creativity as a way of participating in God’s ongoing work. What is one creative activity—art, play, gardening, music, etc.—you could try this week as a spiritual practice? ([26:25])
5. Jesus describes himself as the vine and us as the branches, always growing and bearing new fruit. What is one area where you sense God inviting you to grow or bear new fruit? How can you say “yes” to that invitation? ([27:37])
6. The sermon talks about forgiveness as the foundation for becoming something new. Is there a past mistake or regret you need to bring to God for forgiveness, so you can move forward? ([18:59])
7. When you think about God’s vision for your life, what is one thing you might need to let go of (a habit, a fear, a comfort zone) in order to step into something more beautiful and whole? ([23:18])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
God, thank you for being the potter who never gives up on us. Help us to be open to your shaping hands, to trust your vision for our lives, and to say yes to the new things you are doing in us. Amen.
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Hands Shape Us Through Every Imperfection
God’s work in our lives is not a one-time event but a continuous, intimate process. Like a potter who patiently reshapes clay that has become misshapen or cracked, God remains deeply involved in molding us, even when we stumble or feel broken. Our failures and weaknesses are not reasons for God to abandon us; rather, they are opportunities for renewal and creative restoration. This ongoing shaping invites us to trust that God’s vision for us is always toward wholeness and hope, no matter how many times we need to be reformed.
This understanding calls us to embrace the reality that spiritual growth is dynamic and personal. God’s presence is not distant or detached but lovingly persistent, working with the very clay of our lives to bring forth vessels of purpose and grace. When we recognize that God’s hands are always at work, we can find peace in the process of being shaped, knowing that no imperfection disqualifies us from God’s creative love. [09:05]
Isaiah 64:8 (ESV)
But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Reflection: What is one “lopsided” or broken part of your life that you can invite God to reshape today, trusting in His patient and creative hands?
Day 2: Embracing Change as a Pathway to Redemption
Change is an unavoidable part of life, often bringing a mix of excitement and anxiety. Whether it is a welcomed fresh start or an unexpected disruption, change challenges us to respond with faith rather than fear. God uses every kind of change—even the uncomfortable and uncertain—to draw us closer and to form us into people who embody love, justice, and hope. When we lean into change with trust, we open ourselves to God’s redemptive power working in every season of life.
This perspective transforms how we view transitions, not as threats to stability but as invitations to deeper transformation. Change becomes a sacred space where God’s salvation unfolds, inviting us to release control and embrace the newness God is creating within and around us. By wrestling with change in faith, we participate in the ongoing story of renewal that Easter and Pentecost celebrate. [10:42]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 (ESV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up.
Reflection: Identify one change you are currently resisting or fearing—how might you invite God to reveal the redemptive purpose hidden within it?
Day 3: Crafted for Adaptability, Not Stagnation
Unlike stone, which is rigid and unyielding, we are made from clay—malleable and capable of being reshaped. This essential truth reminds us that spiritual growth depends on our willingness to be flexible and open to transformation. Flexibility is not weakness but a divine gift that enables us to survive upheaval and thrive amid uncertainty. Being adaptable means embracing the process of learning, unlearning, and being remade by God’s hands throughout our lives.
This malleability invites us to release the illusion of control and perfection, allowing God to work creatively in unexpected ways. When we accept that change is part of our spiritual DNA, we become resilient vessels, ready to bear new fruit and reflect God’s dynamic nature. Our openness to transformation is a vital part of living faithfully in a world that is always shifting. [20:33]
Jeremiah 18:3-6 (ESV)
Then 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.
Reflection: In what area of your life are you holding too tightly to old patterns or beliefs? How can you practice flexibility and invite God to reshape you there?
Day 4: Forgiveness as the Gateway to New Life
Forgiveness is more than erasing past mistakes; it is the foundation for becoming a new creation. When God forgives, it is an act of creative renewal that invites us to let go of brokenness and step into the newness God envisions. This process is at the heart of resurrection living—where death to old ways leads to life in Christ. Accepting God’s forgiveness means opening ourselves to transformation and allowing God’s grace to remake us into vessels of hope and love.
This truth challenges us to move beyond guilt and shame, embracing forgiveness as a powerful starting point for spiritual growth. It also calls us to extend that same forgiveness to others, participating in God’s ongoing work of restoration in the world. Forgiveness is not a one-time event but a continual invitation to live in the freedom and renewal that God offers. [18:59]
Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Reflection: Is there a part of your past you have not fully brought to God for forgiveness? What would it look like to receive God’s renewal and begin living in that newness today?
Day 5: Saying Yes to God’s Invitation Through Creativity
God invites each of us to participate actively in the ongoing work of creation by embracing our own creativity and openness to change. Whether through art, play, or simply trying new experiences, we reflect God’s dynamic and life-giving nature. Saying yes to this invitation leads to a life marked by deeper joy, hope, and purpose, as we become co-creators with God in shaping a more beautiful and whole world.
This call to creativity is a spiritual discipline that nurtures resilience and connection to the Creator’s loving hands. It encourages us to move beyond routine and rigidity, welcoming the surprises and possibilities that come with a flexible, imaginative faith. Jesus models this dynamic living as the true vine, always growing and bearing fruit, inspiring us to do the same. [27:37]
Exodus 35:30-35 (ESV)
And Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel... and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs... to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.”
Reflection: What is one creative way you can say yes to God’s invitation to participate in His ongoing work today? How might this openness transform your faith and daily life?
Quotes
Turn, turn my wheel, the human race of every tongue of every place, Caucasian, Coptic or Malay, all that inhabit this great earth. Whatever be their rank or worth, are kindred and allied by birth and made of the same clay. [00:06:55] (18 seconds)
So I went to the potter's house, and sure enough, the potter was there working away at the wheel. Whenever the pot the potter was working on turned out badly, as sometimes happens when you are working with clay, the potter would simply start over and use the same clay to make another pot. [00:08:46] (19 seconds)
Then God's message came to me. Can't I do just as the potter does, people of Israel? God's decree, watch this potter in the same way that this potter works the clay. I work on you, people of Israel. [00:09:05] (17 seconds)
Psalm 3818 is a wonderful example of this type of prayer where we are asking God for change. Yes, God, I confess my wrongdoing. I'm worried about my sin. Don't leave me all alone, Lord. Please, my God, don't be far from me. Come quickly and help me, my Lord, my salvation. [00:12:03] (21 seconds)
God says this is what he's doing. If you think about the whole story of God and God's people throughout the Bible, God keeps going back to the same people. God doesn't say, I've had it with this people who live in Israel. I've had it with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I'm going to go somewhere else in the world. I'm going to start over with a new group of people. God doesn't do that. God keeps coming back, and God keeps working with the same people. [00:19:04] (34 seconds)
So this leads to the second part of God's relationship with us. God's relationship with us is about forgiveness. Forgiveness means I'm going to start over with you. I'm going to fix you. I'm going to restore you. I'm going to renew you. I forgive the lopsided nature of your life. I forgive the wobbly moments you've had. I forgive you for the times when you're just a mess. [00:19:51] (26 seconds)
God made us out of a material that can be changed. It can be worked with. It can be renewed. It can be reused. We are malleable. We can be changed over and over and over again. Our bodies are adaptable. We can get stronger. We can get smarter. We can get faster. We can become different. Our muscles learn new skills. Our brains learn new ideas. Our mouths can learn new languages. [00:20:43] (32 seconds)
And when God says to Jeremiah that we are clay in God's hands, that also means we are adaptable. We are flexible. We are resilient. In other words, looking at this whole thing, God made us for change. God made us to change. [00:21:42] (27 seconds)
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