Vessel & Altar

"We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us." - 2 Corinthians 4:7

The earthen vessel is not a problem to be solved. It is the theological point. The cracking, the limitations, the obvious inadequacy of the clay - these are not failures of the vessel but evidence of where the power is coming from. If the vessel were not clay, the source of the power would be ambiguous. The clay makes it unmistakable.

Many women carry a quiet conviction that they should be less cracked. That the tiredness is a failure, that the perplexity is a sign of insufficient faith, that being struck down means something went wrong. Paul names the opposite. Being struck down and not destroyed is not a consolation prize for a vessel that should have been stronger. It is the demonstration of the treasure.

Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing - not those who hold themselves together well enough not to weep. The psalm says they went forth weeping and came back with sheaves. Both. One on the way out, the other on the way back.

Sister, the vessel you are is sufficient. The power is not waiting for you to become less cracked.

Where are you currently measuring yourself by a standard that requires the vessel to be less clay than it is? The tiredness, the perplexity, the place where you are struck down - name it as the clay it is, and then name the not-destroyed alongside it. Both are true. The treasure is visible precisely through the crack.

Lord, I am an earthen vessel. The cracks are real. So is the not-destroyed. Let the power be visible as yours through what I am, not in spite of it. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us. Amen.