Common clay pots
Norah Summers
June 07, 2018
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2 Corinthians 4: 5–12
5 For it is not ourselves that we preach; we preach Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 The God who said, “Out of darkness the light shall shine!” is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Christ.
7 Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us. 8 We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; 9 there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed. 10 At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that his life also may be seen in our bodies. 11 Throughout our lives we are always in danger of death for Jesus' sake, in order that his life may be seen in this mortal body of ours. 12 This means that death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
So we are common clay pots. Just in case we should get above ourselves, we are reminded that we are of the earth, earthy.
But we have been made, fearfully and wonderfully made, by a master potter, who knows our purpose and has made us fit for it. It is in his power to set us in our rightful place, which we may think is on an obscure shelf. We can try to hide in a corner, in our everyday garb, hoping not to be noticed or challenged, avoiding any risk of being cracked or broken.
But it isn’t about us, it’s about the God who turns on the light, who calls us out of our comfort zone, who gives us aspirations and reassurance and power to serve in new ways and sends his Spirit to accompany us on our journey.
God of beginnings,
God of the raw clay and the finished pot,
God of the light and the new purpose,
show us our path of service,
our true calling,
in your light and power.
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