No matter how beautifully sculpted, or how intricately designed, there is not a single piece of pottery that would be useful to anyone until it goes into the furnace. I love to use this as an analogy to explain why we must all go into the furnace. Why life puts us under so much pressure sometimes. Because it hardens us. It puts a beautiful, protective glaze around us so that our inner confidence shines out brilliantly. Until we go through hard times, experience difficulties - go into the furnace of life, we will never be useful to anyone. Especially to ourselves!