Hard Clay

      The term “hard clay” does not refer to rock hard clay, but rather clay that has a resistance to the potter’s hands. It is a hardness that permeates the entire lump, not just in one small area. It becomes hard because some of the physical water has evaporated from it, which then requires much more effort to push into it in order to move the particles of clay through the process of its forming. Once hard, is it hard forever? No, but only the potter knows how to soften a hard piece of clay.

      In some areas of the Biblical Scripture, hardness refers to the condition of the heart. A hard heart brings an attitude which affects the whole person. It is a resistant attitude which resides within; resistance to God, resistance to His will, resistance to change, resistance to forgiveness. A resistant attitude might sound like this: “Who needs God. God is for weak people!” Or “I’ve always done it this way, I’ll always do it this way, and nobody’s going to change me!” Or “That person really hurt me and I’m not going to forgi…, I’m going to get even!” These are examples of hard hearts. Would the Potter, our heavenly Father, ever force the clay into a shape in this state? No, never! He has given each of us the ability to choose, and would never violate that. It is a privilege that only we as humans possess, and it is extremely valuable. It is freedom; freedom to choose to have a relationship with our Creator. Jesus died in order for us to have it. He willingly layed down His life to overcome death so that we too can have life by simply choosing to believe in Him as the Son of God. Is there anything else in all creation that has been given this same gift? No. His love for us to respond to Him with our love is so great that he risked much in giving us this gift. He risked that some would choose not to respond to Him. What value is a relationship unless it is freely given, freely chosen. God is Love. True love can be only freely given, freely chosen, otherwise it is called something else.

      But if a piece of clay is hard, it is not hopeless. One might think it would be enough just to put it in a bucket of water. However, that would only cause the outside surface to become slimy since its dampness would hardly allow the water to penetrate the entire lump. The potter must take the hard piece of clay and put it aside to completely dry. Since most hard lumps are very thick, it would take weeks and sometimes months for the water surrounding each particle to evaporate to become dry. But once dry, it is now ready to be made soft again. At this point the water is poured onto the “broken pieces” which, by capillary action, absorb it entirely through. The clay is now worked on an absorbent surface until it is smooth and ready to be put on the potter’s wheel once more, at just the right consistency to respond.

       While the above can be a long process in life to get through, a hard heart can be remedied at any point with a simple response to God in a prayer from your heart. “Yes, Father I believe you are who you say you are. Forgive me and become my Savior and Lord today. Amen.”