Jars of Clay

Is your kitchen cabinet like mine? Every other cereal bowl has a chip in it, and a few are cracked. Yet I want to avoid the significant cost to replace them. So day after day, we continue to use them.
We’re kinda like that as humans. Chipped and cracked, this world has beat up on us a little, but we keep going. And God can still use us.
Paul writes to the Corinthians that God gives us “the knowledge” of His glory and the salvation He offers through His Son Jesus.

“But we have this treasure [this knowledge] in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

The Bible uses the image of jars of clay to portray human weakness. When clay is wet, it is pliable and can be easily molded. And then each jar, even when created by the same potter, is uniquely shaped and colored. It has its own bumps and dimples, imperfections and areas of strength. Each jar has its own purpose and story, from the ground to the shelf.

But clay jars easily break, and when shattered, the remnants return to dust. Paul is telling us that despite our fragility and our weaknesses, God still uses us to display the glory of His work and exhibit the power of Jesus’ grace.

Think about that for a minute. What an extraordinary Father He is! He chooses us, imperfect vessels, to demonstrate His perfect power of transformation. In His hands, our brokenness allows Jesus to reshape us. Our cracks are filled with His grace, and our chips are smoothed with His love. Our suffering is purposed for our good and His glory.

Our brokenness does not exclude us from being used by God; it is the very essence that He uses to bring us and others closer to Himself.

Let’s pray.

Dear Jesus, thank you for not forsaking us. Thank you for giving our pain purpose and our broken hearts hope. Mold us in your hands to be more like you and work in our weakness for your glory. As we leave here today, may we place at your feet anything that no longer serves our healing and keeps us from fully knowing you. Amen.