A potter can turn a lump of clay into vessels of different shapes. He uses his hands to work out the characteristics of the clay before he kneads, presses, squeezes and wheels it into the shape he wants. During such a process the clay may crumble under the pressure of his hands. The plotter will discard the ruined product and will use a new lump of clay to mould a new vessel.

Through Jeremiah, God wants us to realise that he is the potter, and we are the clay. With his hands he will mould us into vessels, instruments at his disposal. But very often, we fight against it and prefer to remain as we are. We crumble. Irrespective of our will, God never gives up and will mould us again so that we eventually become good and useful instruments, the goodness of which is to manifest the glory of God (Rom 9:23).

We must submit ourselves to allow God to work on us so that we take on board all the good things. As Jesus teaches in the parable of the dragnet, only good fish will be collected in the net. Only the good will enter the Kingdom of God.