The potter made many trips between the clay pit and his studio that day. With each trip he added the contents of the baskets to a large, growing pile of blue-gray mud outside his workshop—a mound of clay that had existed in varying sizes for many generations of the potter's family.
Normally he left the clay in the aging pile for several months (though some potters left their clays to age for several years). He knew that the best pottery came from clay that had a flexibly body—one that willingly bent to pressure from the potter's hands. In order to achieve this desirable flexibility, the raw clay had to sit for a period of time, exposed to all the atmospheric elements from which it had been hidden while buried deep in the pit.
The heat and light of the summer sun, the wind and rain of the fall, the snow and freezing temperatures of winter—all these elements combined together to produce the needed aging. Through this indiscernible process the clay was slowly changed—gradually becoming a material that would more readily yield to the pressure of the potter's touch.
Important, Unnoticed Work
First he who had been so energetic against the faith, had to do nothing—nothing but age (mature) in his new faith. This spiritual aging began as he remained alone, fasting and unable to see, in the house of Judas (Acts 9:1111And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (Acts 9:11)). Here Saul began to acquire spiritually what potters refer to as plasticity and pliability—the quality day needs to easily yield to the potter's touch.
How important that each believer desiring to be a vessel usable by the Lord first acquire the needed aging. This maturing of faith is normal, a necessary and important part of the new life in Christ. It is in this process we learn the importance and joy of subjecting of our will to the supreme, all wise will of the divine Potter.
During this time of spiritual aging there may seem little outward change in a new believer's life. Saul—blinded and hidden from public scrutiny—was unable to do anything for his Lord, while he prayed and fasted in Judas' house. But that time was vitally necessary that this lump of clay be aged into a formable substance.
It is at this critical time that a new believer in Christ may be unwisely pushed into a place of public service—a ministry for which a babe in Christ is not yet spiritually aged enough to perform. How careful we must be—how much wisdom we need—to know when to encourage a young believer into a public ministry for Christ!
The Importance of Repentance
How did Saul—how does any believer—acquire that necessary pliable character which will easily yield itself to the Master Potter's formative touch? We believe it is first and foremost through the critical and painful process of repentance.
What deep and agonizing repentance that freshly dug clay went through during those three days a blinded Saul spent on his knees in prayer! There he, in the all important curing process, began to realize who God is and who he, Saul of Tarsus was. No doubt, as with Job, Saul was given to say in heartfelt reality of soul:"/ have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes" Job 42:5, 65I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:5‑6)).
It was the God of love that brought forth Saul's cry, "Who art thou, Lord".
It was the God of all grace that caused him to cry, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do".
It was the God of light that brought this proud Jewish zealot to repentance.
Now in Judas' house, the light was shinning—quietly and unnoticed—on Paul, creating in him that indispensable texture which would easily yield to molding.
Repentance is vitally important—not only for salvation (Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)), but it is also a lifelong process by which each redeemed soul is properly aged so as to be made easily formable according to the will of the Master Potter.
Repentance continued in the beloved Apostle's life (and it ought to be so in each of our lives). It was not immediately after his experience on the Damascus road that Paul called himself the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)), but at the end of a long and fruitful life of service for Christ—not long before he tasted martyrdom at the hands of the heathen tyrant, Nero Caesar.
A Continuing Process
The need for humility of mind and spirit that Paul urges on each believer is very much a part of the aging process, one of the happy fruits of repentance. True repentance, which requires a lifetime of soul exercise, provides the foundation for a lifetime of blessing.
Do you want to be a vessel of service for your blessed Lord and Savior? Learn the secret of ongoing repentance.
Aging Can't Be Hurried
Having seen the importance of aging in pottery and its vital importance in spiritual growth, remember, there is no way to hurry or sidestep this process. Failing to allow time for aging leaves a day body that even an experienced potter will find uncooperative—difficult to form into a useful vessel.
One time, I mixed a bag of powdered clay and water in a pug mill. Immediately after it was mixed, I took some of the moist clay and tried to throw a piece of pottery on the wheel. I found it impossible. The clay would not respond to my pressure—it was sticky, inflexible, seemingly unwilling to be formed. I had tried to hurry its aging time and it was useless.
Aging Can't Be Forced
Let's not push new believers (or ourselves) into service for the Lord before there has been time given for spiritual aging. The root has to be deep and sure if the seed is to grow (Matt. 13:2020But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; (Matthew 13:20).21). Greatly enfeebled usefulness for Christ will result without proper spiritual maturing,.
John Mark is an example of improperly aged clay—taking up a service he was incapable of fulfilling, whether at the urging of Barnabas or through his own will (Acts 13:13, 15:37, 38). In the middle of his service, he returns from Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem. We don't hear of Mark again until Paul gives commandment concerning him in Col. 4:1010Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) (Colossians 4:10), and when commending Mark's matured service near the end of Paul's life (2 Tim. 4:1111Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. (2 Timothy 4:11)).
Don't rush, beloved young believer, into a public field of ministry. Such a desire is wonderful (Rom. 12:1, 21I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1‑2)), and some day He may place you in that very service which is on your heart. But He will first allow a period of time when you are left alone with Him. There in His presence, quietly aging in order to acquire a formable character, you will become the kind of material that is truly ready for the Divine Potter's use.
Biblical Pictures of Aging
In Deut. 20 (vv. 5-8) we have a beautiful picture of the principle of aging before serving. Establishing a new house, reaping the fruits of a new vineyard, and experiencing the joyful delights of a new wife were all reasons which restricted a young Israelite from going to fight Jehovah's battles.
Morally the aging process provides a new believer with the necessary texture and character they will need to walk the path of faith. A new house (enjoying our new standing in Christ), tasting the fruits of a vineyard (partaking of the joy of salvation), and enjoying the delights of marriage, (enjoying Christ's love personally), are all part of this vital process.
In the New Testament we see that Martha was busy serving (and that was good). But can we not say that Mary was spiritually aging as she sat at the feet of the Lord Jesus. Though she was apparently doing nothing worthwhile to outward appearances, Mary was hearing His words, and the Lord commends her for having "chosen that good part" (Luke 10:4242But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)).
Don't despise the aging-curing process in life and don't rush yourself (or another believer) through this crucial time!