CRACKED POTS
Patsy Clairmont wrote a book called “God Uses Cracked Pots.” Years ago, she was one of the original founders and speakers at the Women of Faith conventions, that I was so blessed to be able to attend several times. There were so many amazing speakers, singing, laughter and tears. When you have an arena full of thousands of women singing, you begin to wonder if this is what heaven will be like. Usually about 12-20 women went with me and we had such an encouraging day together. One year, our preacher was on an airplane and talked to another one of the original Women of Faith, Barbara Johnson, and she gave him free tickets that were right next to the stage. Wow, what great memories!
Patsy was one of my favorites because she used her experiences of life thru humor, to inspire us all. She talked about her personal flaws, mistakes and struggles and showed how God used those as lights to others. One fact she shared was that she had been an agoraphobic. A person who fears leaving environments they consider safe, which in her case, was her home. She shared how all those flaws can shine through all those cracks and broken places in our lives to show the light of Jesus. She showed a clay pot that had a huge crack in it. Most of us would have thrown that pot away because it was beyond repair. But then she put a light in the pot as they dimmed the lights. You guessed it! The light shone brightly through that crack! Wow! What a visual, I will always remember!
I want you to think about yourself as that cracked pot. We all struggle with so many flaws and heart aches every single day. So many things of this world, that grab ahold of us and cause our faith to “crack.” Have you ever asked God why? Have you ever questioned your faith? Maybe you wonder if you have enough faith to make it to heaven one day. Some trials seem long and hard. When I was taking care of my mentally and physically sick husband for ten years, there were many times I wondered why was this the journey that He had me on. When we had gotten married at such a young age, my life was not envisioned to be like this. I had not had an inkling that he would die before he turned 60.
Have you ever wondered why someone you know seems to “have it all.” They have a huge bank account, beautiful home, good health, able to travel and what seems like a bright future. During the time my husband was sick, there were many months that fear gripped my heart because I had no idea how I was going to pay the water bill. One month, it was the day they were supposed to come out and shut off our water. Thankfully, I went to the mail box and there was an unexpected check that covered it and I paid that water bill very quickly. Last year, it would have been my husband and my 50th wedding anniversary. They have all been hard in the almost fifteen years he has been gone, but this one seemed harder. There were many of my friends who had gotten married the same year and I saw on Facebook, all the celebrations and trips those blessed people were taking. So happy for them. But why did I not have that blessing? It definitely felt like a “crack in my pot of life.”
John 16:33 Jesus tells us “In the world you will have tribulations…” James 1:2-3 tells us “…count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Oh, so there is a God given reason why we have these trials? Why we have to wait! Why we have pain and worry about these earthly things! The aim of testing and trials, are not to destroy us but to refine and purify us in our faith. How can we know we have faith, if we don’t have things in our life to test that faith? It is essential in our Christian maturity, to produce in us patience and endurance. When we have faith and can look back and see that God was faithful to help us through the last trial we had, we can remember and be assured that He is working in our lives for us and through us, in this trial. Patience includes the idea of standing fast under pressure, with a staying power that turns adversity into opportunities. We can share with others, who are going through a similar trial, how and with Whom we made it through.
Mark 6 tells us of a time the disciples were in a boat and Jesus had gone to a mountain to pray. A huge storm came up and Jesus was on the land. Jesus saw that they were straining against the wind. The verses say that at the fourth watch Jesus went to them walking on the water. The fourth watch lasted several hours in the night-early morning. So, Jesus had waited to come save them for probably four to six hours! Of course, the disciples thought He was a ghost, but they soon found out it was Jesus walking to them on the water. Jesus speaks and tells them who He is and for them to not be afraid. When Jesus got into the boat the storm ceased. I can’t even imagine how hard it was for those disciples to try to control their boat and how scared and tired they had to have been! Jesus wanted to show them that He was in control and show them of His deity, even in the wind and the waves of the tempestuous sea.
Those long 10 years of my life, I asked God so many times to help me but there was no answer in the way I wanted. God let me struggle in those hard days for my future and the testimony of my faith even in the storm. God let me “crack” under the pressure of those days, in my earthly “pot,” so that I can now let others see the light that shines for the Lord by writing and speaking through those “cracks” in my life. Those “cracks” have taught me so many valuable lessons. I have learned that there is always hope if you keep your faith in God. There is a reason why we all struggle on this earth and carry heavy burdens. Don’t give up. Don’t give in to the devil who tries to grab us when we are down. God keeps His promises. Lean into God’s healing and His strength. There is a heaven one day when this earthly body gives up. We can go there thru our obedience and faith. Matthew 11:28-29 says “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
We just need to trust in Him and have faith that God will work out your trials for your own good. God is always taking care of us. It just may be through all those “cracks” of tribulation we suffer on this earth. We just have to have the faith that this earthly “pot” which has been cracked over and over, shines with God’s light inside of us. We can shine brightly through that “cracked pot”
2 Corinthians 4:6-10 “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed, we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” God’s glory is manifested through broken-cracked pots-vessels, through you and me, who endure earthly trials by relying on His power!
Till next time!
Keela
