God works marvelously on behalf of the believer. Clay is almost worthless and of little use to anyone. It is shapeless, purposeless, and lacks beauty and value until it comes in contact with the potter. The potter has already visualized what he wants the clay to look like, and what its purpose is. These pockets of air will cause defects and weakness in the vessel when it is made.
Some potters even use a large mallet to beat the air out.
If these pockets of air are not remove the vessel will be destroyed when it is put into the fire. The clay is then turned upon the wheel where the clay is made to spin so that he may shape the clay into the desired vessel. He applies pressure with his hands, and adds water to provide pliability and to cool the surface. The amount of water he adds to the clay will determine the color of the clay it could be drab, red, or a tinted black. He uses a piece of wood to shape the vessel, and smooth it as it continues to rotate, just as God uses the Cross to make us like Christ.