Plums and Clay Jars

Today concludes two weeks of outreach activity in our parish. I for one have had many conversations where I've had a chance to share something of what it means to be a Christian day by day, and in return I've heard many others share their stories. My main task was running a prayer labyrinth (Click here for an online example). I was amazed at how many people were moved by it - some came and told me what had happened.

This is one example of the many ways God has taken us all as we are, and put us in places to bless others in Jesus' name. Human frailty and weakness, incompleteness and immaturity, brokenness and I-really-ought-to-be-more-holy-by-now-ness don't seem to be a barrier to being anointed for this work!

But we have this treasure in earthenware jars, so that [it might be plain] that this all-surpassing power is from God and does not come from us. (2 Cor 4:7, my translation)

A local church leader told me he often keeps a plum near his desk. It reminds him of a prayer he often prays as he sets off into the day ... P.L.U.M. - Please, Lord, Use Me.

I sometimes despair at how much rubble is lying round in my own heart: failed prayer and bible reading campaigns, unconquered habits, childish and wounded thought and behaviour patterns and so on. But the more rubble I see, the more God seems to want me to get on my feet and go to where he calls, to let others see what he's up to in me, and let him deal with the rubble in his own time.

Notes
1. "This treasure" is Paul's ministry (and ours too!)
2. Earthenware jars were cheap and very ordinary, and would not normally be used to contain treasure, but would be put to everyday use.

Comments

[hopefulamphibian]

The rubble image is very helpful, as are your words/testimony in this post. Thanks Richard.