Clay Pot Lives
Wednesday October 23, 2013
For a number of days we've been reflecting on the lovely story of the potter working with clay. Jeremiah has heard God instruct him to go to the potter's house. He has gone. He's watched and learned how things are shaped on the potter’s wheel and what happens when things are marred in the potter’s hands. Then Jeremiah heard God speak to him and this is what God said:
He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. (Jeremiah 18:6 NIV)
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks about his body, using the picture of a clay jar. Paul says that what makes his body, that is the clay jar he speaks of, have meaning and purpose is allowing God's light to shine in his heart. Paul is clear that he's just ordinary clay and things have happened to him that have damaged his body and soul. However, he speaks of this treasure, the all-surpassing power of God that was in him, and is in each of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ. This power of the living God, the Holy Spirit, is from God and is contained in these jars of clay. The incredible beauty of the life of God in the Apostle Paul, and in each of us, is seen by everyone who looks at these jars of clay for we shine like lights in the darkness. 
For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. (2 Corinthians 4:5-11 NIV) We live in a world that is dark and marred by all sorts of suffering and brokenness. Jesus Christ came to earth to offer forgiveness of sin, healing, and life to every human being who will receive it from Him. Many people have never heard that Jesus loves them. Today Jesus asks us if we are willing to have these clay jars filled with the power of God, reflecting His light in this dark world. Sometimes it will be inconvenient. Sometimes we will be misunderstood. Sometimes we will have to be patient while people grow in what they understand about God and step-by-step come closer to Him. Jeremiah heard this loving invitation at the potter's house, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel."
Do we want to make a difference in our world for the gospel? Do we want to be an agent for God’s transforming power in our community, our culture, our time? God wants to use our ordinary lives for this very purpose. He wants to fill us with His extraordinary power so we accomplish more than we ever dreamed of was possible. Do we have troubles and pressures every day? Of course we do! But God is at work in our lives transforming us into the vessels through which His glory will be displayed.
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