But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifest in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:7-11, ESV
Do you have a box of treasures? I have a small fireproof safe which holds important papers, but it's not my treasure. My treasures are the cards and notes I've collected from friends and family over the years. Their words are like jewels that shine bright when the world seems dark. In fact, words can be the greatest weapon or the greatest source of healing. We can cut one another down or build each other up. Today’s passage encourages our hearts.
We are treasures. Sometimes, this is hard to believe, especially when we feel like we don’t measure up. Maybe we let someone down because we failed to meet their unspoken expectations. Or we’ve let ourselves down because we force the burden of perfectionism onto ourselves. Failure shouts loud from the shadows and we agree with it. We become judge and jury toward ourselves and “guilty” is the verdict we carry, and shame is our sentence.
So often we base our worth on what we do or how other people react to us. Our society awards achievement and tells us the best is the only option. If we fail to be the best at whatever we put our hand to, then our culture implies we’re not good enough. Unfortunately, this can get carried over into our Christian walk with God. We put performance before relationship and perfection before mercy and grace.
We are treasured because of who lives in us and shines through us. Our treasure, the kind that won't tarnish or wear out, is Jesus. And Jesus lives in us, jars of clay. We are weak and frail, but God uses us to display his glory. Every time we crack, does his light radiate? When we break, it is an opportunity to shine, not hide in shame.
What if we used our failings and regrets as an opportunity for God's testimony in our lives as a beacon of hope for someone else? I've said and done things I regret, hurting people in the process, but God redeems my past. I still struggle with self-control, but God gives me strength. I still wrestle with wanting approval from humankind, but God reminds me that I already have his approval.
Life squeezes us through hardships and difficult circumstances where we feel as though we are forsaken and struck down. It’s hard not to lash out at those around us when we feel crushed by the weight of our sorrows and despair. We can feel less than worthy because of how we respond to the situations we face. But we have hope because of who lives inside us. 1 John 4:4 tells us that greater is he who is in us then he who is in the world.
A life transformed through mistakes and repentance, then forgiveness and restoration are a marvelous testimony to the work of God in our lives. He makes us worthy. He makes us valuable. The cracks and brokenness in our lives don’t disqualify us. God uses them to write his glory on our lives so we can shine bright for him.
Holy God,
Thank you for your great love and mercy. You reside in me, a clay jar. I have cracks. I have chips. But your glory makes all the difference. My flaws and my struggles are yours. I want you to display your power through my weakness. Help me be strong when I feel weak. Give me the courage to walk faithfully with you. Compel me onward when all feels lost because I messed up and can't forgive myself even after I asked you to forgive me. Let your glory shine in my life, cracks and all.
In Jesus' name, Amen
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/NiseriN
Related Resource: Praying Through Psalm 51: Restoring the Joy of Salvation
Can a heart stained by the worst kinds of betrayal ever truly be restored?? When the world demands justice, does God offer a different way back? In this devotional on Psalm 51, we step into the wreckage of King David’s greatest failure—the affair with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. We move beyond a simple apology to uncover the specific Hebrew anatomy of David's confession: Pesha (rebellion), Avon (twistedness), and Hata'ah (missing the mark). We explore the shocking reality that under Mosaic Law, David should have faced the death penalty, yet he boldly asks God to "create a way" where the law offered none. If you’ve ever felt like your mistakes have disqualified you from God’s presence, or that you are not worthy due to your past mistakes, this episode offers a roadmap from guilt to gladness. Come ready to run toward the Father who doesn't just want your perfection, but your broken and contrite heart. If this episode helped you connect with God, be sure to follow Praying Christian Women on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Tuesday, 24 October 2023.
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