04
Fragile Is Fierce
Jon Burgess“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
It's not the jar that is valued but the light inside. Paul was describing the lamps of his day. Oil that was lit inside a jar to illuminate the house around. Once the oil ran out what use was the jar? The value inside determines the value outside. What fills is what fulfills the purpose of the jar. Something that would sit in darkness or be used for rubbish would now be put in a place of prominence and held carefully to light the way all because of the light inside.
I think sometimes I forget that God is the light and I'm the jar. Sometimes I act like I need to be the one who is seen and that somehow this power that shines through me is because of me. This faulty thinking is revealed the moment life goes from really good to really hard. The truth is I'm a cracked pot and Jesus is the light of the world. I am set apart for His use not the other way around. When people find their freedom in Christ it's not because I led them there for I am not the light. It just so happens you have given me a front row seat to the miracle taking place. That front row seat is a privilege but it also comes with a price. Paul continues after this verse with a list of how these jars of clay came to be so cracked. The more cracked the more Christ people see. The more broken I become the more Jesus is the one people are coming for. Through my weakness Jesus is seen as the strength of my life- the light shining through. In the world being flawed, scarred, scored, and cracked is a sign of failure. In the kingdom of God to be fragile is fierce, the message is in the mess, the hole reveals the holy. I love how the band Switchfoot describes this: "Cause your scars shine like a dark star/Yeah your wounds are where the light shines through/ So let's go there to that place where/ We sing these broken prayers where the light shines through."
Lots of cracks in the casing lately Lord. You have seen lots of anger and tears in response to the things going on around me. Just as this verse says, I've also seen Your power shine brighter then before. You are the light that shines through me. May the oil of Holy Spirit continue to fill me so You can shine through me. Use my brokenness to reveal Your heart for Your people so that all who seek will see You!
