Read: Job 34:1-36:33, 2 Corinthians 4:1-12, Psalm 44:1-8, Proverbs 22:10-12
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. (2 Corinthians 4:7)
Relate: I had a large bowl of pasta in each hand as I rounded the corner. My eyes were on where I was going, not where I was walking and that wasn’t a good thing. Right at that corner, there was a pool of water and when my feet hit it, they slipped. With both hands occupied, there was no way to grab something as I slid downward. One bowl crashed and shattered, the bowl in my right hand didn’t. I never let go so as I fell my thumb ended up between that bowl and the ground. It wasn’t broken but it did swell up like a balloon and I wasn’t able to bend or use it for hours.
This wasn’t the first time I broke something and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Multiple times I had to move from one apartment to another and at least one (very cheap) bookshelf would not survive every single time. Personally, I’ve sprained, strained, splintered, concussed, and bruised various parts of my body but somehow, miraculously, the only thing I’ve ever broken was a few fingernails (and possibly a toe, never got that checked). That doesn’t mean I haven’t known pain. It doesn’t mean I haven’t known fear. It just means I have been very, very lucky.
I remember being at my aunt’s house one time climbing her tree. I was up high enough that when the wind blew I was swaying multiple feet from side to side. I remember her coming out, looking up at me with her hand to her head protecting the sunlight. She has been known to yell and scold but not this time. You could hear the nervousness as she asked, voice cracking, for me to come down “a little bit very slowly.” I can imagine the visions of branches breaking and me crashing the thirty feet or so I was from the ground. I had no fear. I wasn’t very smart.
React: The fact is, we are fragile. We are weak things. Each of us has been physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally broken and patched up more than once. We are more than likely to need a few more patches before this life is done. It is a wonder that God would choose to house such a great treasure as Himself in such fragile vessels. But He does.
Respond:
Dear God,
I’m not quite sure what You see in me sometimes. Of all the vessels You could use, of all the people You could indwell, that You would count me among that number baffles my mind. I’m just a broken and patched up vessel. I know it. You must know it even more. There is nothing in me of any worth… except You. Thank You for that.
Amen
THE RIVER WALK 
Thank you for that prayer (and post) I tend to ask him the same thing… Love the fact that its all Him
very beautiful. we continue o be patched up and fixed and His great love continues to be our blanket and our comfort until the amazing day we get to be together forever.
So true. I often marvel at those who make it through their teenage years (poor decisions, poor driving, and all) and come out still believing there is no God.
Great reminder–it’s His power and not our own. He continues to boggle my mind the way He can work through us in spite of our messes and frailties. God bless! Scott
Thank you for sharing this, it is a great reminder. I also enjoyed the song. I hope your move is going well. Whatever it is you’re doing- have a blessed Labor Day weekend!:)
My encounter with two bowls of pasta, one in each hand, and rounding a corner,,,,the pasta on the left slid straight out and landed on the floor as if it were still in the bowl. The only thing on that occaission was my trust in taking corners. 😉 I do love your posts.
Amen
Evidence of His AMAZING LOVE! Unadorned vessels, yet filled with His grace, His love and His tender mercies. Teaching that God is not so much impressed by the outside appearances but delights with the contents of what is inside our hearts…our soul, the true self. My prayer is that we continue to empty our vessels (jars of clay) and spare not even a drop…dispense all that He has given and trust that He will continue to provide & supply all that you need, pressed down, shaken together and over flowing! amen. Bless you!
This post is so humbling….indeed, there is no reason for God to love us and mold us, but He does it because He is great. Bless you for your endeavors.
Reblogged this on iamb3lov3d and commented:
The last few days I have been reflecting on the study I am doing from “The Resolution for Women” and some of the stuff that relates to what I wrote in a recent post about the reflection on forgiveness (you can click on Resolution above and then on the one about forgiveness). The “Read”, “React” and “Respond” (my relate is much different) just seemed like God’s perfect response to conversations I’ve been having with Him. Thought I’d share in case anyone else if having similar conversations…
Amen! The only thing of worth in me is Jesus! Thanks for the post!
your posts are so practical and relevant… and powerful. May God continue to bless you in this area of ministry.
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Amen.
Since He created us to be weak and frail. This is by design. We weren’t created to be strong and independent; our own gods. By making us weak God built in us a need for Him. Only when we recognize that without Jesus we are nothing that we find our true purpose; union with our Beloved. Because He is such a powerful wonderful Savior we can be weak as He is our Strength.
Great post!
Blessings,
Homer Les