Treasure in Jars of Clay

Written by Jay Hartwell

2 Corinthians 4:6-10
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Thoughts:
Have you every wondered about your life, the perplexity of it? The depth of all living things around you -- seen and unseen -- constantly moving, breathing, thinking, living... How every structure, city, car, container, tool, medicine, machine, all came from the resources we were handed. The creativity of those around you, working to form a masterpiece that we many times marvel.

Do you ever credit the source? Not the people who design it, but the One who supplied the rich resources and the ability to even be creative. Even the work done by people who do not believe in God. God handed us resources, an intelligent mind, hands, feet, breath, to create amazing masterpieces that extend life in many ways. He has given us life to live and light to see in the darkest of places. He freely gives Himself to carry us through each step of a world that can be completely overwhelming.

With all of the creativity and joys of life comes creativity of another sort - evil, darkness, destruction... When greed and strife entered the world, another level of perplexity came with it. It is what it is, hard pressed on every side.

Sometimes we see people in the darkest pits of this world who carry a light that is indescribable. I remember my times in Africa witnessing the poverty, aids, hunger and the many who have been through unimaginable hardships in theirs lives, shed a genuine smile of joy that I admit envied. It was evident that they had been struck down by government power or war, stricken with disease and hunger... but they had not been destroyed. In fact, they produced a glow of hope, a treasure in jars of clay.

I love this passage of Scripture. It tells me that we are not alone, that the all-surpassing power who formed all that we know is near. Not only near, but actively living within revealing to us the power we contain. Struck down, but not destroyed, because of the light that will always shine out of darkness, no matter what your circumstances are...