Chosen Grace

Dedicated to my mom- you are such a beautiful jar of clay 🙂

As November draws to a close, I want us to reflect on who we are in Christ.

Now, I could easily sit here and tell us that we are special, loved, and seen by God. And yes- each thing I’ve stated is indeed true. However, in God’s kingdom we are much more that that.

In fact, we are jars of clay. Let’s look at this Scripture below.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. “

–2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV

When the Apostle Paul wrote this Scripture, he was talking to the first-century Corinthian church about his ministry. The Apostle Paul likened himself to a ‘jar of clay.’ He not only refers himself to these jars but also applies this to us. As God first began to reveal this blog to me, I found this idea of being a clay jar weird until I looked at how clay jars resemble our lives.

You see, according to Crosswalk.com, jars of clay in Biblical times were very common. They were creating things used for virtually everything: storing grain, holding water, etc. In each Biblical home, you would find a jar of clay just as we would find a spoon or fork today.

Like the clay jar, we, too, are ‘common.’ What I mean is that each of us has our own special gifts (natural and spiritual). We, as humans, are everywhere- from the coldest climate to the hottest desert- God has allowed us to populate the earth.

Next, jars of clay were (and still are) made by hand. These jars were made from the Earth and each one was shaped into a unique design. Like the jar, we, too, are made specially and uniquely in the image of God (Genesis 2:7, Psalm 139, Jeremiah 5). Each one of us is formed with God’s stamp of approval. We are perfect the way we are.

Finally, while clay jars are unique in their own way by the potter’s design, they are extremely fragile. Unlike the durable plastic containers we have today, it was easy for them to be knocked over and spilled. These jars would also shatter easily.

Just like the clay jar, we, too, are fragile. There are times when life’s woes threaten to shatter us, making us feel less stable than what we know ourselves to be. In fact, the following verses from 2 Corinthians 4, describe this fragile state perfectly.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”

–2 Corinthians 4:8-9, ESV

You see, Apostle Paul notes that as we journey with Christ- hardships will come. He notes that we can be afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and even struck down. Whether we are afflicted with sickness or persecuted at work, there are moments where we may feel that we are cracking.

To be honest with you all, I’ve experienced seasons like this. More recently, I’ve watched the people closest to me endure their range of persecutions. As I’ve watched my loved ones experience hardship, I’ve seen how it has hurt them deeply.

As I reflect on my own and loved ones season of affliction, I know that many of you reading this may be experiencing something similar. Whether you are frustrated in this season, angry, or simply trying to figure it out, I want to affirm that while you may be struggling- you are still here, still kicking, still breathing. And that itself is a blessing.

What I mean is, our hardships in life are not our be-all and end-all. The other side of the verses above notes that we can be afflicted but not crushed, persecuted but not forsaken. We can trust this because although we may be likened to jars of clay, we are not empty jars. We hold something inside of us that is extremely valuable: the gospel.

“For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you…So we do not lose heart, though our outward self is wasting away because something special is being renewed inside of us.”

—2 Corinthians 4:11-12, 16 ESV

You see, as commonplace, fragile, and unique as we are- our lives are not our own. In fact, once we decided to give our lives to Christ, we did just that. We surrendered ourselves completely to him. This act is us denying ourselves and taking up our own cross (Matthew 16:24).

Because we are jars of clay, made by our Potter (Isaiah 64:8), it is He who fills us up with good things. God cares about what is inside of us. That is why ” if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”(2 Timothy 2:21).

Our God didn’t just create us to be works of art. He created us so that even our tests become testimonies to reflect His glory to others. That’s literally Jesus’ life: he “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7). God cleans and prunes us so that we may be more like Jesus.

As jars of clay, we should empty ourselves by being caring, giving, and loving to each other. We empty ourselves out by displaying the fruits of the spirit. And although fragile, emptying ourselves is a service the will glorify God.

As I close this blog post, I want to encourage you that being likened to a jar of clay isn’t so bad. Though fragile, it is our duty to pour ourselves out so that God may get the praise.

Please remember that in our hardships and affliction, we are still useful and God never wastes a hurt.

Rejoice in being a jar of clay. I know I am.

With love,

Malaysia