Clay Pots

I am reminded today of just how fragile life is and how fragile I am. Paul reminds us that God placed his most valuable treasure in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). Why would God entrust his message of hope, security and salvation into the hands of someone broken, fragile and weak? What logic is there in placing immeasurable riches in such unsecure vessels. Did not Jesus warn us "do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs" (Matt. 7:6)

It has taken me 51 years, but I am starting to get it. Our real ability to change the world, to transform the lives of others, to live a full and purposeful life comes through weakness. Consider a few of the things God tells us about our weaknesses.

• "If I must boast, I will boast in the things that show my weakness" (2 Cor. 11:30).
• "For my power is made perfect in weakness. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:9, 10).
• "These who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength..." (Heb. 13:33, 34).

Early in life I couldn't relate very well to people who struggled with divorce, discouragement and depression. I took the opinion they didn't have enough faith, or better yet - just get over it. Then my life began to crash and burn like so many I tried to counsel with years earlier. I asked all the WHY questions. Why is this happening to me? Why would God abandon me? Why can't I just die and this all be over?

The answer, I was being shaped, formed and perfected in weakness. Now I share my broken past with others who are hurting. I am open about the sins of my past and failures of the present. I am no longer ashamed that I am weak, imperfect or flawed. In fact I glory in all the warts and blemishes of my twisted personality. I glory in these things because I am not alone. If I can hold my head up tall and say, my life has been really messed up in places, but God loved me through it - others gain hope in my weakness.

God's treasures are in jars of clay because we can relate to them. I know - I am a cracked pot that often can't hold water, but God still trusts me to be His ambassador of  hope. He uses my weakness, teaches through my failures and inspires others through the tragedies of my life. I haven't always enjoyed the path my life has taken, but God still finds a way to use it to his glory.

Broken

I recieved a call a few weeks ago asking me to speak on the topic of Healing from Broken Relationships. Having been through a divorce and a couple of challenging business relationships in my life, I have a little insight into the topic.

For the past few weeks I have been scanning pictures back into my computer. Inevitably when that happens a certain picture, or event from the past comes to light that stirs the emotions, opens an old wound, or may even brings back fond memories of days gone by. When I think about that it reminds me that healing can take place, but the scars don't always go away.

When I was 13 I ran my finger through a bandsaw at school. It cost me my spot on the baseball team and I have never fully recovered from that lost season. Today, that little finger is still twisted and only enjoys limited function. It has healed completely, but it will never be what it once was. I realize that as a metaphor that sounds rather dark and discouraging, but I am not saying we don't recover, we do and in recovering we make adjustments for the wounds from our past.

The periods of brokeness in my life have made me stronger. I worked harder at my baseball skills, struggled to regain strength in my finger so I can butcher the guitar. I pay closer attention now to all my relationships. Being broken isn't a bad thing, staying broken is devastating.

I will always have memories of good times and bad.