On any given day you might find me muttering, “Yep, jars of clay.” 

“That’s right, jars of clay.”

[a knowing nod] “Jars of clay.”
[a slight shake of the head] “Jars of clay.”

It’s become a statement of understanding where I now know myself and I see the world a little more clearly than I used to.

We have this treasure in jars 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.  – 2 Cor 4:7-9

2 Corinthians 4 is so good, all of it. But the jars of clay lines resonate with me as they create a wonderful picture of our place in God’s world. As Christians we know and trust that God has a purpose and plan for our lives (Eph 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11). We also know that God has generously given each of us gifts to use for His glory (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12). However, when it comes down to the practical day-to-day application of these gifts, we’re often lost or overwhelmed. Where do we start? What if we mess up? What if we don’t measure up? Will we let down God? Will we let down others? And inevitably, some of us will quit before we’ve even started. Using our gifts feels daunting.

Launching a non-profit ministry is daunting. I’ve discovered deep–and shallow!–layers of perfectionism inside of myself. My list of “shoulds” in order to be a decent human being is absolutely ridiculous. It’s exactly the kind of thing that makes a person want to go back to bed and forget that the rest of the world exists. Enter 2 Corinthians 4 and this current version of myself who wanders around town thinking, “jars of clay!”

The cracks we all bear are not unknown to God. 2 Corinthians 4 makes that very clear: we all have cracks. We are these precious treasures, each sculpted and formed by a Creator who lovingly built us (Isaiah 64:8) and WE HAVE CRACKS. We’re pitchers that are a bit leaky. We’re cereal bowls with a chipped rim. We’re airtight containers that have lost our perfect seals. We’re kintsugi (look it up and check out Makoto Fujimura while you’re at it) and we’re still beautiful, still treasured, still commissioned to use our gifts for God’s vast kingdom.

Jars of clay.

It’s an acknowledgement that we’ve sinned, all of us, and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It’s the truth that not even one of us measures up to a list of “shoulds.” It’s the beautiful reminder that while we’re lined with cracks God’s glory through Jesus is shining so brightly that it cannot be dimmed. We are not to lose heart, fellow Christians. Take comfort in your God who is renewing you day by day.