Power in Jars of Clay

I've been thinking about potters and jars of clay this week. Not only was this the theme for my last week of Bible study, our instructor (Lori Withner, a graphic designer and JobSeeker) gave each of us a beautiful watercolor painting of a clay jar, and one of our pastors (Betsy Haas) used handmade pottery to serve communion. She described what the metaphor means to her.

Both the Old and New Testament use this metaphor. In the OT, we are described as clay in the hands of the potter. Isaiah 64:8 says, "Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." We are being transformed into the image of God and of his son Jesus. Betsy said it is amazing what can be accomplished when we place ourselves in the Master's hands.

In the NT, we are described as jars of clay. First Corinthians 4:7 says, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." It's only we when go through the fire that become shiny and strong. Yet our earthy bodies are nothing compared to the extraordinary bodies we will have in heaven. Paul makes one thing known for sure: these earthly bodies, fragile though they are, can hold God's treasure — his all-surpassing power.

With this in mind, and as you experience your job search, ask God these three questions:

§          Lord, what do you want me to learn from this? Oftentimes, we put lids on our jars that prevent us from hearing God's gentle leading or from receiving His blessings. Open your eyes and ears, hearts and minds to the leading of His spirit. Respond to His call.

§          How do you want me to change? Allow God to mold you into the person he wants you to be. Einstein's definition of insanity applies. To get a different result, we have to think differently, do things differently and become a different person. One fellow that I met with last week said he had become a spiritually changed man in his 16-month job search. When I checked my email this morning, I had a message from him that he'd received an offer out of the blue (or from Heaven above?) on a position that was dead back in February. God is good.

§          Who do you want me to serve in your name? Chuck Hodges, in his sermon on Sunday, said we receive blessings so that we may be a blessing to others. Some of the best therapy I've ever experienced is when I've helped others. Ask God to fill your jar up so that you can pour his blessings on others.

If you do this, you will be ready to withstand the hardships associated with job search. Listen to the next two verses in 1 Corinthians (4:8-9): "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." No matter how bad things are going at the moment, God will never leave you nor forsake you.