God Uses Cracked Pots

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“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

CRASH! My favorite piece of pottery had just hit the floor by way of my rambunctious 2 year old. It was cracked in several places. The cracks were obvious no matter what direction I turned it. Would it ever be of any use again?

I love all the scripture passages referring to God as the “Potter” and humanity as the “clay”. I find such comfort in seeing myself in His Sovereign hands, knowing nothing comes into my life that hasn’t first passed through His mercy.

In this passage, Paul calls Christians “jars of clay” and says we are filled with treasure. But, how are others to see this treasure if it is in an opaque jar of clay? Clay pots are not transparent like glass. How is the world to see the Treasure of Christ inside? The only way the world can see the treasure of Christ is when we are cracked or even broken in places and we allow the glory of Christ to shine out. God uses suffering in our lives to bring glory to Himself and to encourage others. Suffering is never without purpose.

When we are suffering, God doesn’t call us to be a martyr or to be stoic. He calls us to show others our “cracks”. We honor Christ through our suffering when we invite others in to share in our struggles so they will also share in His glory.

God still uses “cracked pots”! Will you use your suffering for His glory? Or will you turn your pot around, hoping no one will see the cracks? When we hide our cracks, we hide His glory. Let Christ’s glory shine through you today.

Prosperity is Fleeting

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You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV

I have heard it said history tends to repeat itself. Amazingly, our nation and our lives are very similar to the people Isaiah wrote these words to. They are written to the house of Judah in a time when the nation was very wealthy and had a form of godliness, but lacked a true relationship with the Lord. In short, they were self-reliant.

Even in the midst of a recession, our nation is prosperous. But, what does prosperity lead to? Does it lead to thankfulness toward God and sacrificial giving to others? Sometimes it does, but many times it leads to self-reliance and an abandonment of faith in God. The cycle can look like this: Prosperity – self-reliance – moral decay – judgment.

If I have learned anything during this time of economic downfall, it is that prosperity is fleeting, but God is eternal. When I put my trust in anything other than the Lord my God, it will fail. When I trust in my wallet, the 401K, or even the value of my home, it can and many times will fail. But God will never fail.

The person who has a steadfast mind is one that has a single focus on God Himself. Their focus is moved from themselves to God alone. Only then will they be able to focus on what is truly important in this life because they understand it has been taken care of.

Let us have “perfect peace” in the area of finance and every other area of our lives by fixing our minds on God. When we ask God to make His Word true for us, He always says yes. Ask Him to keep your mind fixed on Him today as you trust in Him completely.