Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NLT)
6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
A clay jar is about as ordinary as it gets…the Tupperware and mason jar of long ago. Not perhaps a compliment to call someone a clay jar. Yet Paul explains to believers that we are like an ordinary and fragile jar; we are weak and powerless, ordinary in our humanness. But for believers, he explains there is more. Inside of this fragile exterior we contain a great treasure. God has made His light shine in our hearts!
It is hard to believe that the God of all the universe wants to dwell in us–fallible humans made of dust. But that’s how much He loves us! That while we were fallible and prone to chip and break, God sent His Son to die for us (Romans 5:8). That through Christ, we get to be a dwelling place for God’s Holy Spirit and vessels of His love and power. And, God has entrusted us with the extremely valuable message of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Me, Lord? Really? I sure don’t feel like I am worthy to be your dwelling place. I sure do mess up a lot. I’m not very good at sharing my faith with others. I feel like it never comes out right.
There is good news for anyone who has ever felt underqualified: Paul tells us, “It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).
God enables us, and we are equipped with His great power. What a gift it is that through Christ we get to experience God’s glory every single day. His Holy Spirit is at work in our hearts, even on this very day. God gives us the power to do His work, and through His Holy Spirit He gives us the courage and the words to say (2 Timothy 1:7, John 14:26).
Who are you ministering to right now? Another way to think of this is where do you go, who do you talk to, where do you interact with people on a regular basis? Those are active mission fields-yes the playground, the office, the people we spend time with. And the Holy Spirit will often lead us into other mission fields, those unexpected spaces or people we can only reach by intentionally going there. Will you share the treasure you have inside?
Keep it simple, for starters just talk and listen to people. Love on them. All the while, ask God to guide your words and give you boldness in the opportunities to talk about your faith. Enjoy the treasure in your heart today-and share it with someone this week.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus. Thank you for dwelling in me through Your Holy Spirit and entrusting me with the gospel message. Please teach me how to thread the joy and hope I have in you into my daily words as I speak to people. And give me boldness to share this incredible treasure that I hold as Your child. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.