Broken Vessels

Well, I can't sleep so I figured I write. It's late on Valentine's Day. My sister (the school "techer") brought home all kinds of goodies from her students today. I thought I'd help "dispose" of the dark chocolate, but forgot that it was after 6pm and that I wanted to go to bed before 10pm...

My head is pounding SO badly. Migraines are awful. I tried to make light of the pain and told my sister:

"I'm thinking of donating my brain to science."

"It won't do anyone any good..." ouch? I thought, but she continued "...I mean I haven't heard of a successful transplant." ohhh. miscommunication. :)

  

So, here I sit. Exhausted and dealing with a migraine. But my eyes can't shut and my brain is super awake. Why don't I remember that any form of caffiene is bad for me after 2pm?? I will never learn. I'm hoping the two Tylenol PM I just took will kick in soon...

  

In the meantime, I heard something on the radio today that really struck a chord. The radio announcer was talking about a funeral she'd been watching. The sister of the man who had died was sharing a memory from one of the last conversations she'd had with him. He'd known he was dying, and said: "Eternal life is God's gift to us; this life is our gift to God."

 That struck me. Stunned me, really. I've probably heard things similar to that several times, but not stated quite so simply. I forget that I can give God something- and as a "gift-giver" I loved hearing it put that way!

  

Of course, once I put aside the incorrect assumptions that my works are the things that bring me God's affection and acceptance, then I can move on to doing things because I WANT to. For Him. Because my relationship with God is forever. Forever. No human man will ever be able to match that amount of time or the depth of God's love for me. (For you too, of course- if you've trusted in Christ).

 I can't imagine who I would be without Christ. That person would be terrifying. Occasionally I see glimpses of what might have been when I act selfishly, and it makes me shudder. I want to be Christ-like. I wish I could be perfect. I have a theory- one I've thought about for several years and wrote about WAY back when I had a "Xanga"- bet that stirs up memories for some of you...or you just gave the screen a blank look. :)

  

Here's my theory:

God refers to Himself as the Potter and to us as His "clay". He mentions the different vessels that are formed from clay- from lighting a room (the cush job) to storing refuse (the horrible job)- but each is NECESSARY. Now, if we are all vessels and necessary- that puts us on equal terms. So just assume there are millions of clay jars- each representing a person. Specifically, Christians.

God also tells us to let our light shine before men. A perfect jar- if it had a candle inside it, would not show too much light. It would be beautiful, but not too useful. Similarly, if a person is assumed to be perfect, that person is intimidating. To many, they seem unapproachable.

On the other hand, a cracked jar would show more light. The candle would be more visible between the cracks. This would be the person who has made mistakes and cracked themself (or been broken by others). The light is more visible and therefore, the vessel is more useful.

This kind of person is approachable. When people admit they've made mistakes and have truly made changes in their lives for the better because of them- we not only learn from them, we open up to them. People are more willing to share with a broken vessel.

Perhaps, that is not put as clearly as it could be? To sum it up: broken vessels show more light. God can use our mistakes for His glory- if we let Him.

That is my theory. I am a broken vessel. When I share my mistakes with others, I've learned that they are more willing to open up and hear what I have to say about God. I will not be perfect on this earth- there are more mistakes in my future- I know it! But I praise God that He has found a use for me on this earth, and the fact that I'm still alive means my work is not completed.

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:6b