January 2012- Jars of Clay
Written by Joe Oden Monday, 16 January 2012 10:22
You have heard the saying many times, "There's nothing new under the sun." Oftentimes, there are old principles that are still very applicable to our lives and ministries today. I am writing this on January 2nd, so I realize we are just beginning a new year. As I was praying this morning I felt the Lord drop this in my heart. I wasn't praying about this at all, but just felt this was something I should keep in front of me this year and felt it would be good to share with you, as well.
It is based out of 1st Corinthians 4: 7, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” How privileged we are as children of God to have the Lord’s precious treasure on the inside of us. This is a clear indicator of our role as leaders and believers. We are just a jar and without God's grace upon us, along with His gifts, we are just an old jar. If a jar is carrying costly diamonds there really is no room to brag because the jar did not put them there; it is just a vessel to carry the precious cargo. There should be no pride or arrogance in the body of Christ because what elevated the jar had nothing to do with the jar itself, but only what was on the inside of the jar.
As vessels ourselves, we should always remember that no matter what we are carrying or have been entrusted with, we are just stewards of what God has put in us. We must have humility written on our jars no matter how successful our influence, church, or ministry may grow. Because at the end of the day, if we are talented, a good preacher, intelligent, or move in the miraculous/creative power, it is because God put it in us. May we walk in 2012 with humility as a covering on our life and ministry.