My Jar of Clay

 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." 2 Corinthians 4: 7-10

    I miss Sally, Dick and Jane. Do you remember those cheerful characters from beginner's readers? My daughters learned how to read from those charming books that echoed a simple, happy time with a mom and dad, a red wagon and a cat named Puff. The Mayberry, Leave-it-to-Beaver type of world is gone; perhaps, it never really was in the first place.

    Yesterday, there was a nation-wide challenge on social media for violence to erupt in schools and, since I work in a school, I was on high alert. Reciting the Bible verses I have taped on the wall of my work station, I prayed for the courage of David and the strength of Joshua yet, at some point, I took my eyes off Jesus and glanced at the waves around me, seeing only the negative possibilities.  I failed the faith test miserably, which only made me feel worse. 

    The above verse reminded me that I always carry death around with me, which sometimes threatens to snuff out the "life of Jesus" that illuminates my heart. Some days, I lose the battle, but the war continues and I pray to do better today. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"(Mark 9:24)

    Is it any coincidence my daily devotional spoke right to my sore heart today? "Jesus said we will have troubles," the writer implored, "but he also said in the same breath to take heart, to be confident and of good cheer, undaunted, and filled with joy because He has overcome it all." (See John 16:33) 

Lord, may your light shine from my earthen jar of clay today! Amen.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18