2 Corinth 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Nothing says humility quite like the picture of an earthen vessel. I’m thinking of a common clay pot. A little misshapen, a few cracks, easily overlooked.

God originally formed man from dust (a vessel from the earth) and breathed life and Spirit into him. The beauty of this paradox is that our human form–imperfect, weak and fragile—houses the very presence of God. The treasure that resides within us­, the earthen vessels is His power.

This specific power is known in the Greek as the ‘dunamis’ power of God. It is a miraculous power of great force, ability, might and strength. When Jesus was operating with ‘dunamis’ power it resulted in dramatic transformations. As believers, we are commissioned to do even ‘greater things,’ with this same power of the Holy Spirit that resides in us today.

This same verse in The Message version says “We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us.” By referring to the treasure as a ‘precious message’ we are reminded that the true treasure we give to the world is not our gifts or talents but is the message of Jesus and the power of God.

Too often we see our humanity as our weakness. We focus on our flaws, wanting to arrive at perfection before we feel worthy. This verse reminds us that God’s master plan is to use our very ordinary lives to fulfil His extraordinary purposes. It is our imperfections that Christ uses to reveal His glory. It’s not about accepting brokenness or being stubborn and refusing to change, it’s about letting go of our desire to fix ourselves, and trusting Jesus in the process; that when we are weak, He is strong.

The wonderment of the Christian journey is watching Christ work within us as we endeavour to rest in the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit guiding us. When we take matters into our own hands and strive to improve ourselves, we forgo the liberty available to us through simple obedience.  Being changed from glory to glory is a process, and it is one that our Heavenly Father is responsible for. Our part is letting go of moulding ourselves and instead, allowing our lives to be shaped by the Master Potter.

Reflection

1. Are you more focussed on fixing your flaws and weaknesses (your ‘earthen vessel’) or on the message and the measure of Christ within you?
2. Are there areas in your life where you have put hope and trust in yourself and your abilities rather than the power of God?

Choose to turn your attention to Christ within.

Prayer

Father, here I am a vessel to be used for your glory. Help me to take my eyes off myself. Let me not judge my perceived flaws or perfections, but instead, help me to focus on your Spirit within me. Shape me from the inside out and let your glory be seen within my life.  Help me to be obedient to your promptings to be used as you see fit.

In Jesus name, Amen

Further Reading

• 1 Corinthians 2 ‘God’s Spirit and God’s power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God’s power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.’
• 2 Corinthians 4:5-7 Check out The Message
• Jeremiah 18:1-10 Jeremiah and the Potter’s House
• Isaiah 64:8 We are the clay, He is the Potter
• Genesis 2:7 God making man from the dust of the earth

Songs

New Wine