Jul 29, 2008

Cracked Pots

2 Corinthians 4:7 'But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us."

The one word that we as women struggle with is "Perfection." The word that the world constantly abuses women with, and the enemy uses to make us feel so unworthy. I truly believe the world doesn't need to see how perfect we are; instead it needs to see how powerful our God is. People in the world don't need to see us as perfect women of God, women who never have any problems, or make any mistakes. They need to see how God is bigger than our problems and more powerful than our mistakes.

I found this very interesting..
During the new testament times clay pots were big business, they were like the Tupperware of today. Now each jar of clay was handmade, and majority of the time there would be a crack or flaw somewhere in it. The potter seeing the cracks on the clay pots would cover them up with wax and despite their defects would continue to sell them to people. To them it was all about profit verses honesty.

Each of us is handmade by God, yet completely unique. But since we live in a fallen world, where our fellow jars of clay constantly bump into us, cracks are sure to happen. Everyone knows about the cracks, so why try to cover them up. It's time to get real, it's time to strip off the wax and be honest enough to admit we are just jars of clay like everyone else, and we have our share of cracks.

We face heartaches and hard times. We did not ask to go through whatever we may be facing, but we have this treasure, the radiance and glory of the living God. The world may see us going through problems, but let them see who we are going to with those problems. Ministry whether it be on a pulpit, on your job, or even blogging is not about perfection or competition. It's not how much better we do it then the next person, but how well we do it to bring glory to the Lord. The Lord is not looking for perfection or reactions, he is looking for those who strive, and thrive on reaching out to show his love and his compassion to a hurting world.

So today I stand before you to say..
Hi everyone, my name is Lorie and I have cracks in my pot. Today I stripped the wax away and I am proud to say.. I'm God's jar of clay.


27 comments:

From the Heart said...

A great post. It is heart warming to know that God does not look at our cracks that the world may see, but He looks at our hearts and hopefully the world will see who we depend on to help us with those cracks.

Your comment on my blog brought tears to my eyes. God is so good, He knows our every need and when we truly trust Him, He will supply those needs. David says in Psalms 37:25 "I have been young, and now am old: Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor their children begging for bread." Wow,
We may not have a lot on this earth, but if we serve our Living God we are richer than those who do not know Him but have billions of dollars. I would not trade what I have for wealth or fame.
You are a blessing,
AliceE.

Pinkshoelady said...

Thank You for this post.

It has been a blessing to my very cracked self today.

God knows every crack, and when I let Him He shines through each one.

Pamela R.

Nicole said...

Lorie,

Thanks for this reminder. I needed it.

Hi, I my name is Nicole and I have cracks in my pot. I am thankful I am God's jar of clay!

Blessings,
Nicole

Darlene said...

Hi, my name is Darlene and I have cracks in my pot. I am thankful I am God's jar of clay!

Thanks for this.
Blessings,
Darlene

Sheryl said...

No other way for The Light to get out than through our cracks. Oh, how I wish people would understand the freedom of knowing they aren't perfect. We all learn so much from those who are real and don't hide their flaws.

You are such a blessing to me,
Sheryl

Cathy said...

Beautiful, Lorie ~
Funny how your posts remind me of songs I have written. I wrote one ~ "Trusting In Thee", and the chorus goes ~ for Thou art the potter and I am the clay, Mold me and use me in Thine own special way. For my life's in Thy hands, and I wait patiently, trusting in Thee, Lord Jesus.

Joyfulsister said...

Hi My Sister's,
I've been doing alot of soul searching these past weeks, and continue on this journey a litte wiser than when I begun. Thank you so much for continuing to share your heart's with me, I hope you know how much it means to me to have the support of you my sisters, because we do need each other. Hugz

Anonymous said...

Hi Lorie!
Another great post! It's nice to be able to share our imperfections with one another, knowing that God loves us in spite of them. Thanks for sharing!
Love, Velvia

Debra said...

Lorie,
Thank you for that. It is so good to be real, and open before God-then it's a joy to be like that with people. It's a way to win them to Jesus. I don't think any one likes being a fake.
Love, Debra

God Chaser said...

Lori
I am a fellow cracked pot with many amany cracks. It's amazing you posted this earlier today I was thinking about how imperfect I was and that on the scale the arrow pointed more closely to the imperfect end than the perfect end. I love and agree with what yous aid about we need to show we are flawed and it is to God we run to do something with these cracks and imperfections. You are right on today another wonderful posts. thanks for confirmation for me .

Yolanda said...

I join you...here I am Lord, cracks and broken SO ready to be used for the Light of Christ to be revealed. God is bigger than any problem or situation I find myself in today, or tomorrow and for that, I say HOLY!

Lovingly,
Yolanda

Anonymous said...

You have an absolutely beautiful blog and a strong and encouraging heart. I love this.

Thank you so much for coming to my blog and leaving that funny and very sweet comment!

I love your site so much and hope to be able to drop by more in the future!

Renna said...

You said,

"They need to see how God is bigger than our problems and more powerful than our mistakes"

That is my new prayer! I had a commentor on my blog this week (a dear believer) say I lead a charmed life. I laughed when I read her comment, and yet, I knew she didn't mean it as funny. To me, my life is not charmed, yet I do try and find the blessings of God all around me (and I don't have to look very hard!).

I've been asking the Holy Spirit to help me bring glory to God in my life, but I'm adding that I want to present Him as a powerful and calming presence in my life amidst life's trials as I go through them.

Alene said...

Just beautiful! I sit with tears in my eyes - I so needed to be reminded of this. All I do and am is for an audience of ONE! He's all that matters and HE knows I'm a cracked pot! Love ya girl.

Addicted to Beadz said...

What a great post. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for visiting and your prayers for me and my family.

Happy WFW!
Cheryl

Edie said...

This is so true. Boy can I relate. I was feeling quite like a cracked pot at one particular season of life and ran across Patsy Clairmont's book, "God Uses Cracked Pots" so I bought it. I sat down to read it thinking I was going to spend some good Quiet Time with God only to find myself laughing hysterically all the way through the book. Laughter is good medicine. :)

And so are sweet Sisters in the Lord. Thanks so much for the very kind words you left on my blog today, and for your prayers. I can't tell you how much that blessed my heart. - Rich Blessings to you Sister

B. said...

Beautiful!!

Shirley Mary said...

Your post on "Cracked Pots" is
really good and speaks to all of us. And the size of the jar is in the potters hand. He decides how He wants to shape each one of us and how He wants to use us for His glory. I'll probably never write a poem but I am surely blessed by yours!
Thanks for visiting my blog. It is always a "joy" to read comments from joyfulsister!

mary

marine's words said...

these is truly a beauitful post !!
I know The Lord is still wroking on me and I am full of cracks for him to heal :), love,marina

Rilda said...

Blessings Sistah Lorie, It is all about Him and He truly is molding and shaping us into His image in a greater way than ever before. Those cracks I believe create NEW CREATURES. hehe!! Love You! rilda

Colored Heart said...

I am blessed to have read your latest entry and more blessed after reading your message for your friends. May God bless your broken vessel. I am a clay myself, and praising God in my infirmities for in them His grace is puffed up. Happy blogging, sister! {hugs}

jhunnelle said...

very nice and encouraging post, it's nice to know that we have God who doesn't look at our flaws but a God who sees us as whole person because of His Son.

Very nice and encouraging post. Can I link your site to my site?

Thank you for visiting mine and for the comment.

Blessings
lady jhunnelle:)

Cherdecor said...

Lorie, Thank you for dropping in and saying Hello. I am so glad that you did because now I can read your blog. You have written some wonderful posts. I have been catching up.

I really really want my neighbors to come to know the Lord. I walked with one this morning who does not yet know the Lord. I heard above all her chattiness that she is questioning some things. I realize that I cannot open her eyes. Only the Lord can. I pray that the light of Jesus will shine through my cracks of this my pot.

God bless you for your blogging ministry.

Anonymous said...

Hey Lori,
I have many cracks in my pots.
I almost cried when reading this, I feel like I have to be prefect or I wont be accepted.
I keep praying God will just direct my steps and make me more like him!

Thanks for posting this.

Debbie

jhunnelle said...

Oh, so you have a filipino blood:), Ilocos Norte is a beautiful place, they're known for their great beaches and great delicacies like dinengdeng, pakbet, etc.,

hope someday you'll be able to visit your father's hometown. Have you heard of Jasmin Trias, she's famous here in the Philippines:)

Thank you for the comment, I did that poem, that's how i felt last night, but thank be to God, He is always there to lift up our soul:)

Blessings

GOD'S LADIE said...

This post literally has me crying. Oftentimes, I feel that some people around me "expect" me to be perfect. But I am grateful that GOD doesn't reject me because of my cracks and allows HIS Holy Spirit to shine through.

What a blessed word!
Simply touching,
LaTonya

Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...

This was a great post, Lorie. One that we all need to be reminded of.

It seems that the longer I walk with the Lord, I notice more and more cracks. I'm so thankful that our God knows them all well, and was willing to die for them!

I love your point about how the world looks at us...they don't need to see our feigned perfection, but His True, Glorious Perfection!

WHOO! You got me all worked up! :-)