Treasure In Earthen Vessels

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen (clay) (earthy) vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-9

My mom is a classy lady.

As far back my memory can go, I can remember my mother carrying herself with grace. As a child, she taught me that my life had value. And, she taught me the things she owned, like teacups, had value and to treat them with respect. Even as a young child I remember being extra carful around valuable ornaments, furniture, dishware. She taught me how to take care of things so they would last, and to this day I still practice those lessons she instilled in me and I try to not take anything for granted.

Almost every memory I have of my mother involves a cup of tea. When I visit her, she has a display of her most cherished teacups in a beautiful glass case; they are rimmed with pure gold, hand painted, and one-of-a-kind treasures.

When you drink a cup of tea out of a pure gold rimmed, hand painted teacup, you carry yourself with a level of decorum. You sit up straighter, you engage in deep conversations, and you walk with care. Even children seem to know that something so dainty is not to be played with.

There are different qualities that set vessels apart.

A styrofoam cup, for instance, does not demand respect. It may contain the same beverage, but it is not handled with care and people are more careless with their movements. In fact, when they are finished with their cup, they crumple it up and throw it away. No one will say, “be careful with that styrofoam—it’s very valuable!”

You Are God’s Vessel

One attribute that I know about a good mother has is she makes the best out of a bad situation.

I remember walking into a room as a little girl and seeing my mother crying. I would ask, “Mommy, what’s wrong.” “Oh nothing, dear,” she would reply and then proceed to hold me in her arms, telling me that she loved me.

There are lonely battles you face.

There are things that may happen in your life that will make you feel like you are a piece of styrofoam, only good for a moment but meant to be thrown away. But I am here to tell you, you are a vessel of God. 

Every beautiful vessel is tried through the fire, but with every firing, you are being made into gold.

The master is working on us, through each experience of our lives.

• You have value.
• Your life has purpose.
• You have influence.

There may be days you feel unfinished, incomplete or lacking, but God will use everything you’ve been through because you are God’s earthen vessel and set apart for greatness. You are the fanciest teacup; a set-apart vessel for God’s glory.

Prayer: Lord, I pray when I feel worthless that You would remind me that I am created in Your image. You have given my life purpose and I know that even in the struggles I have endured, that You were with me. I pray that the excellency of Your power would be revealed in me.