The passage I read
was 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
You can find that passage here:
The verse that most
stood out to me:
7 But we have this treasure in jars of
clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We
are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted,
but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
As I reflect:
For me, this passage’s
focal point is focal point. I mean to
say that the point is that it’s not about us, but about Him who is in us. When I preach, it is not about me, it is
about Jesus. When I share stories, they
are rarely simply about me, but often about what God did in light of that
story. When I tell of how I have been
persecuted, I am not telling a story about my persecution. Rather, I am sharing a story about how God
did not abandon me during my persecution but used it to build my character and
make me stronger, or used it so that someone else may see that I glorified Him
even in the midst of struggle. In fact
if any of my stories were to tell of how I was hard pressed, perplexed,
persecuted, or struck down and didn’t include God’s work in the story, then the
story likely ended with me being broken.
You see, without God, I’m just a clay pot, as
easily breakable and fragile as the rest of the human race. But with God, I am a clay pot that has
substance on the inside; a treasure beyond all measure inside of me. This treasure is the focal point. Jesus in my life is my only reason for
strength, understanding, wisdom, endurance, faith. He is the only reason that this clay pot hasn’t
been shattered. In this clay pot that I am, you will notice many blemishes,
scuffs, cracks, missing pieces, dimples, dis-colorizations, and imperfections
of all kinds. But look deeper and note
that each blemish reveals the light within that is not me, but my Savior
shinning in me. Eternally more important
that who I am, is who He that is in me is and equally that my identity be in
Him who is able to overcome all things.
Daily as Christians
or Messianic Jews, we are to carry Christ to others through this ever broken
and dying vessel. If we then practice life with our identity and
characteristics drawing upon not the broken vessel that is our mortality, but
the eternal life that is our Way, Truth, and Life, when we enter into eternity
we will be at home.
My response to the
Lord:
Dear God, I know that this life is not about me. It is about you. I know how very incapable I am to spread your
message. I know that I am easily
breakable and brought down by mine enemies if not for you. You have filled me with your light and I
treasure your presence and power in my life.
I treasure your love and guidance.
I treasure you. Thank you for
filling my cup overflowing. May I always
remember in conversation, in thought, in action, that it is all about you and
may you bless and multiply my efforts greatly that you be glorified instead of
me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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