June 2023 - Eric's Ethereal Cereal

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? ~Jeremiah 18:3-6

Jeremiah’s words to his people is applicable to us in our current state, as well. Pottery doesn’t shape itself. A potter still has the opportunity to re-shape whatever rests in his or her hands. In short—to start over if it seems best. Perhaps, we find ourselves in such a time at present. Jeremiah’s word may seem harsh at first hearing, but this word from God reminded a covenant people that God still had a deep love for them—that God was willing to wrestle with a people he loved in ways that re-shaped them for His purposes, to serve the world.

In the epilogue of her wonderful book on Galatians, Elaine offers these words:

“And what about the wave of change that is upon the church, the new ministries that look different from the church we grew up with? These are from God not the devil. Beloved church, can we agree to let God have our anxiety? God knows how hard it is for us to let go. We simply have to be willing to be made willing. Just a tiny degree of openness allows God to work with us—like dandelion seeds. They blow on the wind, fall into every crack in the asphalt – and before you know it a parking lot is in full bloom. Church, do you realize we are on the cusp of a new Great Awakening? And it looks like a spiritual dandelion explosion as far as the eye can see. God’s new thing is networked, exponential, Spirit-breathed, decentralized, a vast planting of small communities of faith that birth small communities of faith that continue to multiply. It is very much the work of laypeople, and it is emerging as a natural progression out of the church that used to be.” ~Elaine Heath, “God Unbound: Wisdom from Galatians for the Anxious Church.”

Blessings & Peace!

Pastor Eric