Be a Jar

2 Corinthians 4:7  We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.  This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

It's not about us.  Lol.  Wow.  What a concept, right?  We fumble, we stumble, we get off track and we go in the wrong direction.  But we can still shine.  And we shine because the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts, piercing through our brokenness.  The Message Bible (which I like for the word pictures it paints) puts it this way: "If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives."

Three times over the last two weeks I've been reminded of this.  This morning as I opened up my "31 Days of Praise" devotional, once again I was taken to this verse.  

What can a jar do?  Nothing.  It sits there, empty, awaiting a user and a purpose.  And that's what we are without the light of the Holy Spirit in us.   Empty, purposeless...sitting on a shelf.  We may look ok, but our insides are empty.  

It's almost like creation itself.  All of a sudden Jesus finds us (and we open our hearts to Him) and it's "Let there be light." all over again (Genesis 1:3).  And it's true, we are new creations when the Spirit of Jesus renews us. 2 Corinthians 5:17  This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  His creation.  His purpose.  His way.  Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Our human body, our jars of clay remain the same on the outside, we still look ordinary, go about the day to day of daily living...but what's inside is extraordinary.  It's God!  We can do everyday things, suffer through the difficulties of this life with godly attitudes, with gratitude and the power to love and share the Gospel.  And the more we do this the more of His light shines through brighter and brighter.  More glory to our God!

This morning I read today's "My Utmost for His Highness" by Oswald Chambers.  He quoted John the Baptist in John 3:30:  He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.   He spoke of Jesus.  The more we willingly let the light of Jesus shine through us by being obedient the more we become like Him.  2 Corinthians 3:18  So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.  And He is worthy to receive all glory, honor and praise.  

Lord, take these jars of clay and fill them. Use us for Your purpose and Your glory.  Let Your light burst forth from our lives, giving Your light to those around us.  Let us bring You glory.  I echo what is written by Ruth Myers in "31 Days of Praise," " Thank You, that I, a common earthenware jug, contain the priceless treasure of Your life and glory, and so my every victory and accomplishment obviously comes from Your all-prevailing power and not from me."  Hallelujah!!  Shine Jesus, shine! 

Let God's Spirit shine in your life today.