The work of a potter moulding the clay at his wheel is well understood as a Biblical analogy of the relationship between God and us, His people, because the basics of the potter's craft have changed very little over the centuries.
After the potter has finished moulding the clay, he places the finished product on a shelf and it will have to stay there, while it dries out completely. If he fired it in his kiln right away, the extra water in the clay would turn into steam and explode the piece of pottery.
Sometimes it is necessary for God to put us on the shelf for a while. Certain processes just take time.
For example, when we pray, we must have patience and wait for God.
Sometimes there are long periods of waiting in our lives, while the Lord is arranging the perfect circumstances for some other part of His perfect will to take place.
Jeremiah 18:6
Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in my
hand," declares the Lord.
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