A few years ago Joe and I owned a garden center. We sold many different varieties of plants. Our inventory also included concrete and clay pots. One of the popular items was clay pots from Mexico. They came in many colors, shapes and sizes. After handling them awhile, we discovered how fragile they were. They chipped and cracked if bumped. They didn’t last very long in the changing seasons.

The Precious Message

“We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:7 ‭MSG‬‬ Paul compares our bodies to clay pots. We aren’t much to see. We are plain ordinary people living ordinary lives, but we carry within us the precious message. Some translations refer to it as treasure. The reason our clay pots are so unadorned and ordinary is so that others see God. We should never be the focus for others. We shine the light on Jesus and share His message.

Fragile Clay Pots

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Our ‘clay pot’ bodies are fragile. As we age, the storms of life that we encounter cause damage. This clay pot is scratched, bruised, sagging, wrinkled, torn and it feels like it is falling apart some days. The ‘storms’ of life have taken its toll. I am grateful for my life. The wear and tear of our earthly bodies is part of the plan of God. But there is hope…

Renewed Day by Day

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Praise God! As we chip, sag and crack on the outside, on the inside we are being renewed. Inside of us is the treasure which is the Message of God! As we seek the Lord each day through study of His word and prayer, our treasure grows.

Blinded Unbelievers

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Don’t be dismayed by the people who only see the clay pot, your outward body. Not everyone can see the treasure in us ( the Light ). Hearing the gospel, attending church or being a good person does not make a person renewed inside. People do not understand the gospel because they are blinded unbelievers. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is the only way to have the treasure within. Knowing Jesus is the only way we can see the Light.

Made New Day by Day

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ There is great news! Even though our ‘clay pots’ are weakening and will return to the earth, inside we are being made new day after day. Our momentary troubles in life achieve in us an eternal glory. When our clay pot turns back to earth, our new ‘pots’ will be eternal and glorified. There will be rejoicing and our bodies will never again crack and bruise. “The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” II Corinthians 4:18, MSG https://youtu.be/uz9xKtRhpjc https://youtu.be/uz9xKtRhpjc  Hillsong Worship Paula Wallace   https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2018/08/30/treasures-from-the-storehouse/