2 Corinthians 4:7
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
A phrase kept coming to my mind, “a wise woman builds,” a subject that I thought would be good for a series of devotions, which is still “on the drawing board.” A particular memory took me back to a time many years ago when I attended my very first Christian women’s retreat that was called, “A Wise Woman Builds.” I only remember little bits from the event but the experience had a profound impact on helping me catch a vision for women’s ministry, many years before God opened the doors to a leadership position. With that memory in mind, I just knew I had some material on that subject packed away somewhere and was determined to find it.
In a guest room closet, hidden by other items stored away, I came upon a big box of files that hadn’t seen the light of day since we moved into our present home years before. Leafing through the stacks of folders, I realized I had hit pay dirt. The discovery yielded thirty-eight years of material: programs and notes from women’s ministry events, outlines from retreats, and seminars I had organized and attended or for which I was the speaker, as well as notes from many of the Bible studies I had led. At that moment I thanked the Lord for reminding me of the phrase that sent me on the search. I also felt totally vindicated for being such a packrat! In my closet, hidden from view, was a veritable treasure trove that has and will be providing ideas and inspiration for devotions for the foreseeable future, truths from God’s Word that are meant to be shared.
In our passage today, Paul speaks of another treasure, one found in “jars of clay.” Jars of clay or earthen vessels could be purchased with one or two copper coins and served a practical purpose as receptacles for wick lamps. Paul used the example of these vessels as an image of ordinary people of faith like you and me being the receptacle of a treasure—God’s powerful, redemptive message— which is brought forth from the vessel. God could have chosen angels to spread His message but He chose humble, weak vessels like us! Inside our broken, fragile, ordinary jar of clay is a treasure, a priceless treasure of immeasurable worth, given to us so that we would be witnesses to the world of His power to the glory of the Father. Often we look at our clay pot as frail, cracked, damaged, dirty, or empty, not worthy of holding His treasure. We allow our outward appearance or feelings of insecurity have sway and so we keep the treasure hidden.
Jesus took upon Himself our sins on the cross, died, and was resurrected to redeem a lost world. This treasured message of redemption, love, salvation, and the promise of eternal life, is not meant to be hidden away in our jars of clay, dear readers. It is meant to be shared with a lost and hurting world!
Father in heaven, fragile and cracked as we are, You chose us to receive your message, this treasure beyond compare, and to share it. Thank You for entrusting it to us. As we read in 1 Peter 3:15, “sanctify Christ in our hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks (us) to give an account for the hope that is in (us), yet with gentleness and reverence…” May we boldly proclaim this message from our cracked vessels. For Your sake, we pray. Amen.
What a wonderful devotion today! I’m a senior citizen and often feel quite useless, but this message gives me a new jump-start on things I can do. Not like I used to, but some small things such as caring phone calls and cards. Also prayers!
Carol Walker
Good day to you, Carol,
Thank you for your comment today. I do understand why you would think that maybe God is done with you at your age, but that is not the case! You must never feel useless! Like you, I am a senior citizen and the call upon my life right now is certainly different from a decade ago, but He still has plans for me and I can sense it every day. Take each day as it comes, “reporting for duty,” and He will encourage you in even the small acts of service. May He bless you in all you do, Carol.
Eyes on Him,
Marsha