Are You A Broken Jar?

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

For months I have battled a painful skin ulcer on top of my other health issues. My “jar” definitely has a break in it. Indeed, there are several breaks when I consider my numerous health issues.

It is a good thing that our God is all powerful, for we are as weak as a broken jar of clay. The treasure inside of us is the Spirit of Christ. It is through Him that we are made precious and valuable despite our outside condition.

The philosopher Epictetus described human beings as having bodies in common with the animals, but our ability to reason as a fragment of God. Many religions and philosophies understand there is something very special within humans setting us apart from the rest of creation.

It is extremely challenging to get our focus off of these clay bodies, especially when they cause us endless pain and misery. It helps when we turn our focus toward God and remember He created us to be more than jars of clay. When this clay jar is finally, fully broken, we will rejoin the Lord who created us.

Thankfully there is more to this life than a “clay jar existence”. We can look beyond death to an eternity with our Lord, and in this life we can call upon Him for comfort and peace in our afflictions. With my health problems I am not an ignorant optimist, but someone daily facing challenges like many of you. Our hope and faith is not based upon circumstances, but upon a God who cannot lie, and has given us many precious promises in His word.

Whatever problems you are dealing with, remember you have a Lord who loves you and also lived in a clay jar--so He understands and cares about our problems and pain.

Prayer: Dear Lord, these broken vessels wear us out and wear us down. We need help from above, healing from within, and comfort in all our afflictions. Help us even now Lord. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2017