There's a ton of blessing in a life walked with Jesus, and any committed Christian will see and do amazing things. We are, after all, more than conquerers.
That's kind of hard to get my mind around, because I know myself to be something less than that. But Paul gives me a reminder this morning that both cautions and encourages. Here's an excerpted synopsis from 2 Corinthians 4:7-18:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. . . . Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Treasure - that is, the wonderful reality of a redeemed life, with all its joys and hope - in jars of clay. That's a great description of our human bodies and minds. We're serviceable but not particularly impressive. When used for the purpose the potter formed us for, we're very functional, although easily broken if mishandled.
People don't usually keep treasures in clay jars, but God does. In fact, he pour his most valued possession, the life of his only Son, into his human, formed-from-clay image-bearers. Nothing he has is too precious to be shared with us.
That's encouraging when life scars and cracks and otherwise weakens my jar of clay. I'm a carrier of the most valuable treasure earth has ever known: the gospel of Jesus Christ. My Lord thought this humble pot was a fit vessel for his use. And one thing we know about God is that when he calls someone to be or do something, he will make them into exactly that.
A jar of clay, filled with treasure.
No comments:
Post a Comment