Centering Opening Lifting The Fire
 
Centering
 
 
 
 
 
 

Why is it necessary to understand the direction of the physical force coming from the spinning potter's wheel? It is because the Potter's hands must oppose this outward force in order for a vessel to be formed on the wheel. The force of the wheel is OUT from the center and the centrifugal force wants to throw the clay off the wheel. Place something in the middle of the wheel-head, increase the spinning potter's wheel to top speed, and off it flies, out from the center. So when a piece of clay is placed on the wheel-head, in order to accomplish this first phase of centering the clay, the hands of the Potter must press inward at an intensity to overcome this force. As the clay changes its shape, growing taller, coming down, moving up, no longer wobbling as it spins, it illustrates a very important purpose to this process. The clay must surrender to the Potter's hands. Each tiny particle of clay must be realigned throughout the lump until it is entirely centered. This intense first phase is called Centering.

Centering in our lives requires true surrender of ourselves, but the pull of the world wants to throw us off course. Nothing can be made on the potter's wheel unless it is first centered. Response to God brings true surrender as we realize our condition without Him. Meaning and purpose will not come from our lives until we know this. True surrender means giving up our ways, our agendas, and our sins which separate us from Him. Once done, there comes a perfect rest inside, even though the circumstances of our lives may feel like they are still spinning around us.

Centered lumps of clay are consistent throughout. When we become consistent in our faith, responding to the Father, the struggle felt while spinning is overcome by peace. Our lives will not have real purpose unless we surrender to the Potter who made us. Once centered in Him under His hands, we are ready to be made into a vessel, ready to trust Him for the next phase. The Potter wants to Open the clay so that He can start making the vessel form.