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 NLT)
Hi again…it’s me! Many of you know me, some of you don’t. But those of you who do know me, you may know me in facets. For example, I’m a party-er, although not so much any more. I’ve been drunk. I’ve cursed before. I’ve lied before. I’ve said some and done mean things, hurt people’s feelings (although very seldom intentionally), and I’ve done other nondescript things, that in the eyes of many religious and church folk, make me less than worthy of the call God placed on my life. I have to thank God for today’s sermon…because it definitely was mind-blowing and life changing. I got this revelation: you are made from dirt and you have dirt, but surrendering to God makes the seeds that grow in dirt (meaning you) available for his use…and He can handle your dirt-cleanse, change, and purify you.
We are earthen vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7)–the only hand-fashioned thing God created (Gen 1, Gen 2:7). But we are made from dust, or dirt. I love how God confirms things…today the speaker reiterated how it is dirt that has the harnessing power to take a seed and yield a product from it, granted if that seed is nurtured and labored over.
The revelation specific to this devotion is that we all have gifts (seeds), placed inside of us by God. Yet, if you are like me, you have dust and dirt that in the eyes of others, may tarnish that gift (obstructs that seed’s growth and usage). Yet the beauty of surrender, something I have been learning a lot about, is that God uses dirty things and people…yep us, those He hand-molded from clay and breathed the breath of life into, for His own plans and purposes. However the key to this is a willingness to be used.
It dawned on me today that I do not have to feel guilty any longer or judged for my dirt. Neither should you. God will use that dirt–things from your past, character flaws…quirks that make you, you, and He will clean them up and perfect them and you–a product of dirt made alive–if you surrender them all to Him. How can God use you to water the seeds planted in someone else if you refuse to surrender?
Just a thought…light shines through cracked vessels. Seeds grow in nurtured dirt. God’s perfecting hands cleanse away dirtiness, so that His light is not obstructed. Conversely, God’s light-His grace-makes those cracks in the earthen vessel (you) less visible, as long as you remain in Him so that He can use you.
So do you see the blessing in your dirtiness? God can shine light to nurture someone else’s seeds through your being a cracked (imperfect), earthen (dirty, made from dirt) vessel.
Life Inspired By God 