Regarding a potter’s work…the clay doesn’t get a say.

And it’s the same with us too. None of us had a say in the skill-set, aptitude or physique we were born with; that was God’s creative hand. And in the same way, He holds the power to exalt and lower us at His discretion. Consider what Jesus said:

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 13:11 NKJV

He was using the illustration of a wedding feast to address the “me-first” attitude of the Pharisees. They always angled for the best seats and praise of their peers. Pride can be subtle, seductive and quietly working its way through the blind spots, but Jesus elevated humility, placed it out front, and identified it as something to be embraced. How’s it going in the area of humility? Paul put it this way:

“Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” – 2 Cor. 4:7 HCSB