Treasure In Clay Pots
We don’t like to think of ourselves as a “jar or pot.” But 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 tells us, “Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.”
The Passion Translation really hits it home and describes us this way: “We are common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours. Though we experience every kind of pressure, we are not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option.”
“At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option.” I love that! I have been there so many times in many situations, not knowing what to do but yet knowing that quitting is not an option.
We get encouragement from Galatians 6:9 ESV “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Over the last few months, I have been going back in my mind trying to recall some of our work in missions: the countries we visited, and the amazing opportunities God gave us. In each of those countries, I can remember some very difficult times. There were some really tough times and lots of tears. Times when we wondered what we were even doing there and if it was really going to produce any kind of eternal fruit for the Kingdom of God. But as I have looked back over some of those times, and hear reports of what God is doing now, I marvel and think, “Lord, did we really have a part in that? Did You really bless that – like that?” Amazing!
We know we are only clay pots created from dust and yet we possess the brilliant light of God’s glory and carry it as a treasure within us. Our tendency is to focus more on the outward part of us, but it is really not as important as the amazing treasure within. Our circumstances are just the backdrop for what God is doing. It is the treasure within us (Holy Spirit) that gives us value, ability, and purpose.
God has made us the way we are so we can do the things He wants us to do. God said of the apostle Paul in Acts 9:15 that “he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the gentiles.” That can be said of each of us. We are His chosen vessel to carry His image / His name / His character of love to those we encounter daily.
Psalms 139:13-16 tells us that our very genetic structure is ordained of God. He formed us in our mother’s womb and planned out our individual body structure. Each of us must accept himself or herself just as God has designed us. The most important thing about us is that we are clean morally, empty of self, ready and available for God’s purpose. We have to depend on God’s power and not our own. We must focus on the treasure inside and not on the packaging.
Sometimes God permits us to be shaken up so that some of the treasure will spill out and enrich others around us. Suffering can reveal the glory of God. In the natural, we cannot understand this kind of spiritual truth and therefore it is hard for us to understand suffering. God is not asking us to give thanks for the tough times but to trust Him in them. We can be encouraged because in spite of ourselves and our misunderstandings, failures, disappointments, God is working – through our prayers – through our trials – through our lives – even sometimes when we least expect it! Praise God!
Can you look back over tough times in your life and see good from them now?
Are you a stronger person today because of some of the grief you have been through?
What has God deposited within you that you can share with others?
