But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we are all the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8.
We do not know what the Lord will do for us, if we will come into line. God sees what He can make of man. There are possibilities which our feeble faith does not discern. “Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9. He sees all the now unamiable traits of character in man, and He knows, if men will learn the meekness and lowliness of Christ, He can mold and fashion the combative spirit, the unamiable disposition, and bring every power of the being into working order to advance His kingdom. He longs to refine, elevate, and ennoble the entire life.... Through the Holy Spirit's power He can use the very worst characters, and make them men and women of opportunity.
Blessed is the man who by faith can get a glimpse of Christ's faith.... Then there is a possibility of his becoming Christlike in character.... Great light comes to man as he sees the privileges that are for him. He sees God's plans for him and he dies to self.... He submits to be worked.... When he submits to be as clay in the hands of the potter, then God works the man into a vessel of honor.39Letter 63, 1898.
Clay in the hands of the potter ... is turned again and again until the will of the potter is wrought out in the vessel. Grace and truth will make perfect the work of fashioning the human clay, that the glory of the great Potter may appear in the production of a shapely vessel, molded and polished for service.40Letter 48, 1888.
The Potter cannot mold and fashion unto honor that which has never been placed in His hands. The Christian life is one of daily surrender, submission, and continual overcoming. Every day fresh victories will be gained. Self must be lost sight of, and the love of God must be constantly cultivated. Thus we grow up into Christ. Thus the life is fashioned according to the divine model.41SDA Bible Commentary 4:1154.
Let the hand of God work the clay for His own service. He knows just what kind of vessel He wants.42Letter 63, 1898.
From Our High Calling - Page 335
Our High Calling