Are You Expandable or Nonexpandable Clay?

Scripture:  John 4:39 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.”

There are two general types of clay, based on how the substance reacts when mixed with water. Expandable clay swells when water is added to it. Expandable clay can absorb so much water that the clay itself becomes a liquid.

Nonexpandable clay becomes soft but not liquid when mixed with water. Nonexpandable clay is used in making pottery, bricks, and tile. For example, pottery makers mold moist clay into almost any shape and bake it in hot ovens called kilns. Heat removes the water from the clay enabling it to be shaped and hardened into the object desired.

Jesus Christ is the “living water” who desires to mold us into His image through the Holy Spirit and the Word. The Samaritan woman of John 4 drank from the fountain of living water and was transformed into expandable clay testifying of Christ. Drinking from the water of the Word as a believer enables us to become expandable clay and channels for others to drink. But if the heat of trials absorbs the “water of the Word,” and we respond bitterly and unforgiving, we become nonexpandable clay hardened and ineffective.  When sin is not confessed even adding the water of the Word will not soften our hearts for God to mold us.

The Lord desires to mold us into His image for His glory. Let’s be expandable clay in the hands of the Potter. Isa. 64:8 says “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”

Prayer:  My heart says “yes Lord make me expandable clay” that I might continue to testify that Jesus Christ is the True and Living Savior who gives eternal life.

(Cheryl Torain)