The Potter's Will

THE POTTER’S WILL

(Jeremiah 18:1–10)

by Bill Bethel

Clay on the wheel, misshaped and marred,

     Unfit in service and form;

Useless as is, it won’t meet the bar,

     A lump fit for nothing but scorn.

But the potter takes hold to squeeze and remold,

     His creative will to appease;

His hands pull it down, and his hands raise it up,

     He remakes it, himself to please.

The nation whose deeds are black as the tar,

     And will not from evil be torn;

When sinful rebellion has taken it far,

     Calamity due must be borne.

For the Potter takes hold to squeeze and remold,

     His creative will to appease;

His hands pull it down, and His hands raise it up,

     He remakes it, Himself to please.

A life lived for self, empty and scarred,

     Sin-riddled, in need of reform;

Apart from the Maker, all righteous acts are

     Unable to withstand the storm.

But the Potter takes hold to squeeze and remold,

     His creative will to appease;

His hands pull it down, and His hands raise it up,

               He remakes it, Himself to please.