Reading: 2
Corinthians 4: 1-7
“Therefore since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this
ministry, we do not lose heart. …. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we
proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. ….
‘Let the light shine out of darkness.’… But we have this treasure in clay jars,
so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and
does not come from us.”
“Does not come from us.”
How often do we forget that aspect of ministry, especially when we are
trying so hard to be faithful and see results? Whether in designated positions
or ordinary day to day sharing we often begin to think success or failure is all
on our shoulders and reputation.
When it might really should be based on just how broken we are and if
we willing to share from our emptiness. Are we willing to be cracked pots? Are
we willing to be identified as cracked pots?
I read a devotional years ago from a potter sharing how her clay pots
often sat on shelves waiting for the next stage and when the sun shown through
the windows she could see the cuts and scraps, defects and holes more clearly.
And those flaws gave her insight as to how they could be finished—what
shape—what purpose—what use.
Or some needed to be melted down to begin again.
The prophet Isaiah reminds us, “We
are the clay, and Thou our potter; And all of us are the work of Thy hand.” Isaiah
64: 8 NAS
Lord, thank you for Your mercy that shapes and molds us by Your
Spirit. And then gives us Your grace words to share with others. And thank you
for keeping us as clay so that we do not presume to touch Your holy power.
Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all
sin.”
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