Photo by Gemma Evans on Unsplash
LORD, you are the Potter, we are the Clay.
LORD, you are the Treasure, we are the Container.
LORD, you are freeing us from Confusion.
LORD, you are giving us Clarity.
LORD, “All this is for your sake so that, as your kindness overflows in the lives of many people, it will produce even more thanksgiving to the glory of God.
That is why we, jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7), are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. We don’t look for things that can be seen but for things that can’t be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can’t be seen last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:13–18, GW)
By grace, we rest in our “jar-ness” and rejoice in the treasure we get to contain and display. “Not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these…” (Matthew 6:29, GW)
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Giv’m heaven,
John Parker
Connections Ministries
What a wonderful thought to look inside and observe the treasure I’m containing and your containing. I never thought to observe my “jar-ness” it challenges me to look and see what I contain at any given time and how it impacts others. Like the song … I got a river… I got treasure flowing out of me. It helps lame to walk in the blind to see. From one Blessed container to another. Thank you brother – you jarred me!
Thank you, Mina! I’m Laughing-Out-Loud (LOL) with joy! Here are my three LOLs:
1. LOL! Buckle up!
“Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason, we bring to light the knowledge about God’s glory which shines from Christ’s face.” (2 Corinthians 4:5–6, GW)
2. LOL! Speak up!
“The following is written, “I believed; therefore, I spoke.” We have that same spirit of faith. We also believe; therefore, we also speak.” (2 Corinthians 4:13, GW)
Let our praise be louder than the problem!
3. LOL! Cheer up!
“That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16, GW)
The “treasure” is “the surpassing power of God”.
The “jar” tends to want to display the “surpassing power” as from himself.
In spite of the very appearing reality that we are very clay in our display.
Today, how can God’s surpassing power inside me be on display through my clay exterior?
I’ll have to watch and see.
Yes, Tim, thank you.
I will watch and see.
Sometimes (oftentimes), all I see is my jar-ness – good (self-satisfied and prideful) or bad (self-disparaging, spinning, and spiraling down) and not seeing very well.
Then, I want to wait and believe to watch and see.
And, thank you for your thoughtful question: “Today, how can God’s surpassing power inside me be on display through my clay exterior?”
My answer: I’m listening to the Lord and hearing these words, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) and “Only one thing is truly useful. Mary has chosen the good portion.” (Luke 10:42) “Looking unto Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:2) and “Looking on the things that are not seen.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)