Thursday, December 15, 2011

I quickly changed the subject.

I read recently that "we are likened to a clay jars that hold the treasure." It went something like... Want to go on a treasure hunt? Look in the mirror. The person looking back at you is full of value and hides a treasure. In a time long ago the clay jar or pot were valuable to their owners. The pots may not have been as beautiful as a jeweled container, but the clay pots were useful and lasted long. They were ordinary, but they were invaluable for the tasks needed in the household.

Like a clay pot or jar, we are an ordinary tool. An everyday person.

A while back I was asked a question that I found peculiar. Well peculiar because...You just don't come out and ask someone..."so... when you're alone, do you like yourself?" Maybe I'm the odd ball but I found it to be a question I never thought to ask myself much less to be asked it by another person. I don't recall me answering and I'm sure I quickly changed the subject.

I've reflected back on that question a lot and I've come to think it is maybe that simple... working on a "yes" for that little question can do a lot for one's inner self. Life can seem so large and crushing. If only we can choose to chew on one small manageable piece at a time.

"We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want." What do you fill your pot with? Worry, fear, sadness and resentment? Or grace, comfort, gratefulness and peace...!

The Potter's House~"Sometimes saying goodbye to certain people, habits or things helps us to transition for God’s divine purpose. For many of us, change is traumatic. Others crave change. To be used for your highest, you must be a forward thinker and plan your life with change in mind."

I've come to do whatever I can...pray, read, talk, express, whatever I can do to learn how to honestly answer YES to my little question. "When I'm by myself, do I like myself?" Yes YES yes!

The story of the clay pot was written by Paul in Corinthians 4:7 "We have this treasure from God, but we are like clay jars that hold the treasure. This shows that the great power is from God, not from us."


The treasure Paul is talking about is Jesus.

If you ever feel as boring as a clay jar, be glad. God chose to live in you and use you. It isn't what is on your outside that counts, but who is on your inside. Embracing this truth has me understanding that I am never truly alone. The feelings of loneliness and solitude CAN be feelings of companionship and peace if I choose it.

We deserve to be honored, not by others but by ourselves... next time you find yourself alone, celebrate the clay pot you are likened to.

Our prayer for this week is: God, In our grief, be with us and change our heart. In our anger, be with us and change our heart. In our pain, be with us and change our heart. In our doubt, be with us and change our heart. It is not that we do not have, but rather that which we do have has a hold on us. Lord, teach us the true meaning of thankfulness, otherwise we shall be led away by the lie of riches. As you have said yourself, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul”? We pray this in Jesus’ name. ~Amen.

♥~sara


1 comment:

  1. Love that you posted this. What's personal about Paul's clay analogy is that each pot is different and unique. I have my cracks and a misshapen handle as do we all have our unique marrings - Having the light of Christ in us allows us to shine in places and to people who need it most. Look back a verse :
    6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
    That light is certainly being shone through Wings of Hope. Like Ellie's post a few days ago (Lookie See). Would we find so many people in such despair if more of us truly showed this empathy toward everyone? Love everyone. - Jeff

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