Jars of Clay

"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.

For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 16-18

The fire-proof lock-box containing all our important papers and other valuables sits in our bedroom closet.  It is heavy, making it difficult to move.  When I want to access it, I must use a special key kept securely in a secret place.  This box is designed with the intent of keeping those special items safe from fire, theft or water damage.  My husband and I have agreed that if there was some kind of natural disaster or catastrophic event, that box would be one of the things we would take with us.

While I have a certain way of protecting valuables, God has a different method.  His approach lies contrary to mine.  Instead of placing His precious Light in a container of great integrity worthy of it's importance, He entrusts His power to our frail and fragile bodies.  

It's from God

"Please take this away. . .the pain is too great. . . I can't handle the torment. . .please, Lord, take it away so I can serve you freely."  God, however, did not remove this thorn in Paul's side.  Instead, He left the unknown infirmity there to keep Paul humble and reliant on Him for the strength needed to get through each task. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

As a result of this difficulty placed in Paul's life, he grew to appreciate the weaknesses, hardships, persecution and insults, for that is when God's power is best displayed.

There are circumstances in my life against which which I am fighting,  wanting instead to be free from them.  God wants me to know that the freedom will come not through removal of the difficulty, but in trusting Him through the trouble.

The only way God will get the glory in my life is if He places His amazing power in this weak, broken vessel that is me.

Inward Renewal

Every day my body falls apart a little bit more.  Not only is my appearance showing my age with the progression of wrinkles and gray hair, but my joints feel the effects of arthritis, my flexibility is diminishing while stiffness increases and my strength is not what it has been in the past.  Some days, I just feel my age more than others.

Thankfully, even though my body is falling apart, God renews my spirit each and every day.  For this reason I can keep going despite the heartaches and physical pain.

Whatever outward challenges I face today, I can take encouragement from knowing my inner self is always in the process of being renewed and remolded into the image of Christ.  (Colossians 3:10)

The only way I can keep going through the sorrow and anguish of this fallen world is through the constant inward renewal process God supplies.

Eternal Glory

We saved up our money, pinching pennies and temporarily forgoing certain pleasures in order to have enough funds to pay for our vacation.  We looked forward to the day when we could experience Disneyland together, knowing it would be an enjoyable time together as a family.  Because of this great hope, we sacrificed gladly in the now in order to reap the benefit in the future.

In a much more powerful way, this is how I can withstand momentary troubles, knowing it will pale in comparison to the everlasting reward waiting for me in Eternity.  Keeping my focus on what is to come in the future instead of on the present suffering will give me an eternal perspective.

I can either live in the now and wonder "why me?" or I can press forward for what is to come and accept my lot in this life.

God places His very power within my weak and fragile body.  Why would He do such a seemingly foolish thing?  So He can get all the glory for the things He does through me, showcase His power by restoring my spirit day by day, and give me an unseen goal to keep me going.  In this way I can see the purpose for placing such a treasure in jars of clay.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God through all the hard times, knowing He has a purpose.

When do I feel discouraged about the state of my physical condition?

How can I draw strength from knowing I have much joy awaiting me in eternity?

Just a Hometown Boy

"'I tell you the truth,'

he continued,

'no prophet is accepted in his hometown.'"

Luke 4:24

The headlines screamed out from the page lying on the counter of the little cafe: "Hometown Boy Makes it Big."  The small town gossip soon followed. . .

"What do ya' think about ole' Joe's boy?"

"I heard he wrote a book that made the NY Times bestseller's list."

"He's got millions of viewers on his television program."

"Ya, he's pretty popular."

"Remember his family?  Joe was a contractor, never really made it big.  Always had little jobs here and there, but nothing significant.  Never even had enough business to move out of the shop he had set up in his garage."

"Then there was his wife, Mary Jo.  She just kept having kids and always kind of kept to herself. In fact the whole family seemed like they thought they were better than everyone else."

"Ya. . . just kind of weird to see their oldest become such a star."

"Well, like they always say, 'there's no accounting for taste.'"

It's hard to believe when someone we grew up with becomes successful and well known in their field.  Somehow, I always think of them as that little kid who used to trip over his shoelaces, or the girl who had a crush on a different boy every week from the time she was in 3rd grade.  If I try to pay attention to the message their delivering, I get distracted by their past.

God uses broken, sinful people to accomplish amazing things in His Kingdom.  (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)  He does this so He will get all the glory.  Sometimes, though, when God uses a close friend or relative to deliver a message, I may miss it because I'm distracted by the messenger.  How can so-and-so know anything about marriage when she's divorce, I may think, or, what could he tell me about living as a peacemaker when he was the biggest bully in school. 

God can use anyone to speak truth into my life.  Humility allows me to look past the flesh and see and hear the Spirit within.

Full Disclosure

In the field of security, "full disclosure" is a term used to describe the idea that revealing weaknesses and problems with security systems will bring about solutions from industry professionals who want to protect their product's image and reputation.  Giving away the vulnerabilities forces the industry to come up with a better product, whether it be in the areas of computer security, alarm systems or safes and locks.  The idea is that transparency drives improvement. 

Unfortunately, this same concept does not translate well to other areas of life.  The more people know about me, the less they'll see that's admirable and the more they'll see that's fodder for gossip and slander.

Thankfully, God knows me intimately, and still loves me and chose me to belong to Him.  (Psalm 139, John 15:16) He knows all my weaknesses, all my sin, all my foolishness but wants to use me anyway!  Because of His great love and mercy, I can trust His choice of servants.

When I hear a child who is known for her spastic, disruptive behavior say, "Just trust God, Mrs. Boose."  I can either discard it as a ranting of a mere child, or I can take it before the Lord and seek His will.

If a relative who can never seem to get his life together begins a ministry that offers hope to the hopeless, I can dismiss it as foolishness or ask God's blessing upon him.

When a notorious gigolo becomes a man of God and is used by Him to strengthen marriages, I can laugh in his face or I can humbly accept God's sovereign work.

Knowing a person's faults can sometimes get in the way of how God is using that person but humility means looking past the flaws and seeing the Truth.

History

One of the hardest parts of the election season is all the dirt that comes out about each candidate.  It seems to be the objective of political campaigns to elevate themselves by dragging down their opponent so the voters are left with choosing the lesser of two evils.

Every human being has a history.  Some possess a more colorful past than others, but at the foot of the cross, the ground is level.  Sin is sin in the eyes of God. (John 5:17)  As a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, my sin is made as white as snow.  In the eyes of God, I appear as if I were without sin. (Romans 3:22)

For this reason, God is able to use me.  He made me to be a vessel of His good works.  (Ephesians 2:10 , 2 Corinthians 4:7)  This truth goes for all whom God chose.  It then makes sense for me to look past another's record and instead keep my focus on what God is currently doing in their life.

God uses people for His purposes and glory.  He chooses those according to His plan, not because of their own worth, ability or qualifications.  He uses tricksters, murderers, prostitutes, and liars.  (Romans 9:10-13, Genesis 25:29-33, Exodus 2:11-14 ,Joshua 2 , Hebrews 11:31, Genesis 20) 

My history or the past of anyone else does not nullify the Word of God.  Letting go of yesterday means I can trust God with tomorrow and place my confidence in who He chooses to use.

Knowledge of history, my own or that of someone else, bears no importance to the sovereignty of God's plan but can instead be used as an impetus to grow my faith.

God Alone

I remember being at an event at a park where I couldn't see a thing that was happening on stage because of the large crowd that had gathered to watch the performance.  I could hear the music and message, but couldn't see the performers.

In God's kingdom, I am not a performer or entertainer, but a servant used by God.  (Matthew 20:26-28)  Many times, though, my own flesh will get in the way with what God is doing.  Either my fear will stop me from obeying, my past failures will give me reason not to step out in faith, or I listen to the voices around me who are speaking against what God has told me.  

Whatever the source of the obstacle, I must remember the truth that God alone can produce kingdom fruit in my life.  (Galatians 5:22-23)  Apart from Him, I can do nothing.  (John 15)  Everything good I see in my life and in the lives of those around me comes from the Father of lights.  (James 1:17)

As I go through my day, I can choose to focus on the weaknesses I see in my flesh and the humanness of those around me, or I can look for evidence of God's work.  If I look, I will find it!  

Knowing that God is the only one who can do good things gives me the ability to look past the faults and history of myself and others and focus on all the good that He is doing.

Jesus was not accepted as the Son of God in His hometown, Elijah was not sent to a widow he knew and Elisha didn't heal his friends and neighbors.  Many times our faults and history can get in the way of what God is doing.  In order to keep from being an obstacle to God's sovereign plan, I must guard against letting human weaknesses impede my vision of the Almighty.  I just might be surprised where I see God working!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to know that He can use anybody.

How do I doubt God's plan when I catch sight of His servant?

When do I put a halt to God's work in my own life because I can't get past my fears?

Behold

“To whom will you compare me?
   Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
   Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
   and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
   not one of them is missing."

Isaiah 40:26

"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.'”  

Psalm 46:10

Modern life moves at a break-neck pace.  Mothers, especially, are experts at multi-tasking; trying to make the most of every moment.  There is always so much to be done and there is no time to waste!

Taking time to reflect on God's creation and sit quietly and listen to Him speak to my spirit is not, however, a waste of time.  It is vital to my spiritual growth. 

Ponder

When I take the time to enjoy the nature around me, I start to notice details that draw my attention toward the Creator.  If I let all the cares of the day fall away and focus on my Father, I will begin to see lessons within His creation. 

The pansy, colorful and delicate yet hardy enough to withstand temperatures below freezing, becomes a reminder of my own state as a jar of clay.  I am fragile and easily broken yet the very glory of Christ is within me.  The circumstances of life will not crush me, despite my weakness, in order for the all-surpassing power of God to be made known to those who are observing my life.

The graceful-looking vulcher gliding high up in the sky reminds me that the power of Jesus that is within me is greater than the ever-present threat of evil all around me.

A tree withstanding a powerful storm is a great reminder that I need to strive to be, "rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:7)

As I walk with Jesus, I need to take the time to meditate on the lessons from scripture that He leaves hidden for me throughout His creation.  

Pay Attention

Taking the time to ponder God's awesome creation and the truths hidden there gets me more in-tune with Him.  Then I can practice listening to His still, small voice.

When Elijah was running for his life from the evil Jezebel, he thought he was the only one left who had not abandoned God.  He felt all alone.  In response, God sent a powerful wind, followed by a mighty earthquake, and then a consuming fire.  But God was not in any of these overwhelming events.  Instead, He came in a gentle whisper.

As I grow in my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I need to be more like my dog Strider.  He is so attuned to the neighbor's cat who roams around our yard, that he can sense the intruder even when he can't see outside. 

If I was that focused on the Lord, I would always hear and respond to His gentle whisper.

Pay Tribute

I tend to think I'm not that bad compared to others.  I mean, I'm no axe-murderer.  I try to do the right thing.  Sure, I have problems, but they're not that bad. . . .right?

As I grow closer to God, I stand before Him in awe.  His holiness and righteousness reveals my wretched sin and I fall to my face in response.  I cannot stand before a holy God without the blood of Jesus covering my sin.

God is above all things and He will be exalted in all the earth.  But I must place Him in the highest and most honored position in my heart.  I can't do that if part of me is holding that spot. . .If I think myself more than I really am.

In order to praise God as He deserves, I must humble myself and pay tribute to all that He is.  I need to exalt Him in my heart. 

As I grow in my walk with the Lord, I learn to recognize the importance of slowing down and focusing on my Savior.  Then I can ponder His greatness, listen to His still, small voice, and place Him above all things in my heart.

I can take the time to be still and know that He is God.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can focus on God throughout my day.

What piece of technology poses the greatest distraction from His voice?

How do I tune God out in order to focus on all that is going on around me?