Jars of Clay - part 3

⁷But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Cor. 4 NIV)

I've been musing lately on the reality of being a "jar of clay," or, more specifically, being human and subject to my fallen nature, yet called by God into relationship with Christ and then ministry.

Sometimes when those parts of our personality we'd rather not have held up to Christ's Light are foremost, we find it hard to remember that God calls us precious and loves us anyway. From Isa. 43:4: "...you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you." This is good stuff.

And when God calls us to be strong and courageous and to step out in faith to a new direction - a new calling - we have to remember that the power to step out comes from God. God will not ask us to do something for him without giving us the tools, especially spiritual help, to do it.

Check this out:

^7-12If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best! (MSG)

What are the "stepping out in faith" things God is calling you to do?

What are your personal "quirks" that remind you you are an earthen vessel?

What are the ways in which you need to hear (again) that you are precious to God and he loves you?

God of amazing surprises, thank you for the gift of salvation you offered us through Christ. Thank you for the gifts and blessings you pour into our lives. Thank you for the ways in which you are working on our lives - as a potter works a piece of malleable clay. Thank you for the ways in which you are helping us to become more Christ-like. Thank you for your calls on our lives. Help us to trust your surpassing power and your great wisdom and to move courageously in the directions you call us to go. Help us to know deep within our heart of hearts that we are precious to you and you love us. All honor and glory and praise be to you, Father of Light. Amen.

⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; (NASB)

¹ But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
² When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
⁴ Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you. (Isa. 43 NLT)