Treasure in Jars of Clay
Are you feeling fragile today? Come talk to a mentor.
“For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7, NLV)
I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am a fragile clay jar. I’m reminded every day of my frailness when I say something unkind, when I think a hurtful thought, when my heart wanders from God. I see it when I’m jealous of someone else’s success (which happens way too often if I’m really truthful). And I wonder, why would God choose to put His greatest treasure in me?
Do you see what it says in 2 Corinthians, “We have this light shining in our hearts but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure!”
Why does God use fragile earthen jars to carry His greatest treasure? Could it be that that is when His light shines the brightest? God sent His Son into this world to shine light into the darkness, to expose people’s sin and to point them to the only answer, Jesus Christ. Now God has left that light shining in our hearts. It seems inconceivable that God would choose to use us to carry His treasure.
A few years back, my son wanted to go to an outdoor nature school for his 6th grade year. We had to jump through quite a few hoops before he was accepted into the school. We were so excited that he got in and then one day I realized that there was the possibility that he wouldn’t be able to go because we were moving out of district.
Never considering God
Without even considering God or giving the situation to Him, I got on the phone and called the school and told them our situation. The teacher there encouraged me to call the district and basically lie to get the information I needed. I immediately dialed the district and lied to the woman about our situation. She told me that it wouldn’t be a problem. I was so relieved!
But as soon as I hung up the phone I experienced this overwhelming grief wash over me at what I had done. I recognized that God had given me His deep sorrow over my sin. I felt Him say to me, “Kristi you couldn’t trust me with this one thing. Haven’t I worked out all the other difficulties you faced in getting him into this school and in this last obstacle you couldn’t trust me?” Once again, I was reminded of my frailty, of being that clay jar.
But even in the sorrow, I knew God’s love for me and a desire for Him to use me in spite of my brokenness. I knew what I had to do. I picked up the phone and called the district back. I wasn’t able to get the woman I talked to but I got her voicemail and left a message. I told her that I was sorry that I had lied to her and that as a Christian I knew that this was wrong. I had not trusted God to work out this situation but had taken things into my own hands and I hoped that she would forgive me. I have no idea how God used that situation in the life of that woman. But I do know that in my brokenness I allowed God’s light to shine through me.
God uses broken and messed up people like you and me, isn’t that amazing?! When we are cracked clay vessels there is no doubt that it is God’s light within us and not our own! God’s light shines the brightest in fragile clay jars like you and me!
Question: Is there a situation you need to give over to God today?
Tags: 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, devo, Devotional, jars of clay, light, Men, treasure, Women
8 Responses to “Treasure in Jars of Clay”
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Alfred, Thank you for your wise words of advice. My income tax refund was almost enough to pay for my car repairs. It went into the shop last week and is ready to be picked up today. I am paying the additional $400 out of my check, but am second guessing myself on that decision. It’s funny that you mentioned asking God to bless me ten-fold (where is this in scripture?) because I was told the same thing by someone else. When I had $160 stolen from me, I was told that God would bless me ten-fold. I tried to find the scripture, but could not. I now need another $400 for an annual train pass – if I had that, it would save me $600. I normally pay $100 a month.
I am a mentor for this site, and will try to respond with the most recent comment first.
Hi Kanj, it takes guts to admit that your “long conversations (with God) have been sidelined”. Before retiring onto this acreage, when we lived in the city, I used to go into a park and pray for 30 to 50 minutes, but only every 3 weeks or so. That I’ve not done for years, and I wonder why. My prayer time is often here at the computer and a few minutes following my daily Bible reading. Yet, often I pray while working in my wood-shop or while working outside on this farmyard – God is just with me continuously. Could it be that you, Kanj, carry on in a similar way, living in a constant awareness of His presence? Is it so common-place that you hardly realize it?
We like to live “from mountain-top to mountain-top”, forgetting that there are valleys between these peaks. It is in these valleys that God is the closest, and that is where the fresh water flows, the Water of Life. As broken vessels we leak and need to be refilled! God blesses us in various ways, up there and also down here. The fact that you are concerned about tells me that you hold God very dear. Blessings!
A word to Belinda and Betty, God can make a way where there was no way! He knows your situation far better than you can, an no doubt has an answer waiting for you! We were foster parent for 5 years, and I remember being in class on a day when I’d rather have been out painting my fence, but God helped my through that. Foster-parenting a child in a wheel chair was quite a learning experience for my wife & me.
Now for that vehicle repair: Somehow “seed money” comes to mind. Have you heard of it, Betty? It is like “tithing in advance”. You offer a service to someone or a few dollars to meet a need, and then ask God to repay you 3-fold, 7-fold, or even 10-fold. It is very important that you ask “with harm toward no-one”, for your rich relative should not have to die for you to receive the inheritance. State a reasonable time limit, and wait to see what source God will choose to bless you from. (It could be more over-time at work, or an old debt that you had given up on, or maybe even a gift…).
We are just so small and fragile compared to Almighty God, that we sometimes limit Him by not thinking big enough. HE has storehouses full of blessings for us all, Let’s thank Him in advance for that! Peace & Joy, Alfred.
The situation is that I don’t know what the situation is that has brought me to a standstill in my day to day devotion to God. My prayer life is next to none with the exception of when I journal and talk to Him in this fashion. I know it doesn’t really matter the what or the why. What matters is that I will not lose God out of my life again. I’m connected, there’s no going back but going forward with this sadness is discouraging. I won’t stop the ‘small’ talk with God but the long conversations have been sidelined. I have been a member here for going on 5 years now and cannot express my gratitude to all who contribute, who have become a second family to me.
Thanks so much ladies for taking the time to post today. Just had someone else tell me of a similar story and she chose to speak the truth and God answered in a powerful way. We are all just cracked pots….but how wonderful to know that God shines His light through us!
I am preparing to teach a foster parent class tonight. The last seven families I have prepared have dropped out after months of work. I am reminded that God will provide the families for the children I serve, my job is to keep trusting him and preparing for the harvest.
Yes, I do have a situation. My van needs $1,600 for repairs. I owe $8,000. I cannot fix it and must have it towed home today from the repair shop until it can be fixed. I do not have the money for the repairs. I will not have the money for the repairs. This will have to come from God. I cannot do this. It’s all in His hands.
This is such a great devo for all parents out there w/ younger children. It happens so often (especially w/ athletics and extra curriculars). I felt a smile from my heart when I continued reading what you did to “fix” it, and I bet the witness to this woman was powerful. Anyhow, thank you for your testimony; we’ve certainly all been here, when temptation rears its ugly head to lie ~ for selfish gain. I see so many ppl twisting the truth daily, but God gives us (who know HIm), a peace when truth is our focus, PTL. There was a reason this child didn’t move forward w/ this plan, and a blessing in it for so many. Thanks for sharing.
This is a Rhema word for me today….Thank you for listening to the voice of God and be led by His Spirit in penning this devotion today. I am a vessel that He is working thru too!! Messed up in myself; but I’m blessed in the name of Jesus Christ and His Righteousness.
God Bless