Being comfortable as ordinary clay pots (2 Corinthians 4:7)

SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 4:7 (TM) – larger reading 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us.

STORY:

Chinese legend: A group of elderly, cultured gentlemen met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties, to create exotic blends that would arouse the admiration of his guests.

When the most venerable and respected of the group entertained, he served his tea with unprecedented ceremony, measuring the leaves from a golden box. The assembled epicures praised this exquisite tea. The host smiled and said, "The tea you have found so delightful is the same tea our peasants drink. I hope it will be a reminder to all that the good things in life are not necessarily the rarest or the most costly. 

OBSERVATION:

Why is it that we do not trust ourselves with the message of Jesus’ resurrection? Well, could it be that we see ourselves as just ordinary, unadorned, run of the mill clay pots? There isn’t anything spectacular in us or about us. We are just ordinary.

But isn’t that the point. We are not the message. It is not meant for us to draw attention to ourselves. We don’t have to “sound” like a preacher. The power of the message of Jesus’ resurrection in us is because we are ordinary… unadorned… just run of the mill…

Oh, it is nice at times to feel like a priceless Ming Dynasty vase, but it is not the outside that matters… it is the contents within. We can have all the trappings supported by the skills of oratory with the underpinnings of a rich melodic voice, but it is what is inside that makes all of the difference.  There is a wow-factor to the news of the resurrection and it isn’t us.

We have been touched and transformed by a marvelous glorious reality… Jesus came, died and rose again. Because he lives we too can live!

PRAYER:

Almighty God, help us get out of the way of your message! Let us simply be channels in the telling. Nothing more and nothing less. We are clay pots. Help us to become comfortable in our ordinariness and unadorned “skin” so that your message of grace and love might come through.