Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

--Isaiah 64:8

when a potter molds clay, the clay isn't pliable or willing to be molded. it's abrasive, and resilient.  but that's a good quality in clay. if it's too soft it cant be molded, it collapses under the force of the turning wheel.  it's the opposing force that allows the potter to shape the clay-without it the lump of clay stays a lump of clay. it's painful for the clay to be molded, and hard work for the potter to make the clay to the image of his mind's eye. when the clay allows itself to be used by the potter, the result is something useful, and sometimes nice to look at too.