2nd Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in Jars of Clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2nd Corinthians 4:16
So we do not loose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
I Love these scriptures. It really puts things in perspective... that all power belongs to God.
And i believe it gives us great direction on how to think of the nature and character of God.
Yet. something I continually miss here, as I do with other verses, is that it also speaks ot my own character and nature.
I like to bypass that sometimes, especially as I lead.
Its easy to nail down the truth that ALL the surpassing power belongs to God. I like that. I believe that, and really count on that.
But again.. this is what it says about me....
- I am afflicted (vs8)....
- I am perplexed (vs8)...
- I am Persecuted (vs9).....
- I am Struck down (vs9).....
- I am being given over to death...
- and Death is at work in me....
I know these things... but here is what i don't practice...
Letting others know, as Paul is letting the church at Corinth know, that
my outer self is wasting away.
Sure it is easy to talk about "not loosing heart" and having my "inner self renewed day by day".
After all, I am a pastor, a leader of ministries. That is part of my repertoire.
But what isn't? That my outer self is wasting away.
I need to talk about this more. Let others in, as I believe Paul is doing, about the condition of his "jar of clay".
This is what I am suffering about, this is how I am afflicted, and perplexed, and so struck down.
How death is at work in me.
But why would I do this?
To proclaim that anything good in me, is exactly that. The good in me. Jesus.
The surpassing power of God. Jesus.
Its hard for me to talk about these things, it is much easier to just proclaim his promises and act like
nothing is wrong. But I can't. I am convinced that Jesus is for me, and so I do not loose heart,
yet I will it a point, even as a leader, to display my broken jar of clay.
I am scared. Of screwing all this up.
I am tired. And have no strength to give.
I am glad that He is surpassing.
