Masterpieces from Jars of Clay. In one sentence that is what I learned about myself this month. But to sum it up I cut/pasted two verses that go wonderfully together.
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. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ~2 Corinthians 4:7 & Ephesians 2:10
Being on 100 Huntley Street taught me something. I continually decided to look at my life as though I was still ‘a work’ in progress. I was stuck there. The truth is that God is not done with me and when He is He will take me home to heaven, but meanwhile I am His Masterpiece.
There are LOW Low low times in our lives but we can still have joy. I can honestly say that I love the way my Father father’s me. No matter what we are going through there is always someone worse. A friend of mine who had a young daughter dying with cancer told me that often. I couldn’t get over it. But it’s true. Joy comes from putting Jesus first, than Others, and finally Yourself. This is why helping others feels so rewarding and singing a praise and worship song brings comfort. If it were not for the way that my Father has designed me, than what would my story be?
Ministries, books, blogs, and music are all born out of trials and victories won.
My dad said something to me the other day that I thought was the best way to put something that I’ve been trying to understand for years now. He said, “If you can’t drive than you can teach someone else how to drive.” So if you haven’t suffered than how else can you see the need and suffer with that person or be sensitive enough to help. Sometimes I get so frustrated by people seemingly to walk on by. It annoys me to no end. But I should not judge, maybe they just don’t know how to ‘drive’. Interesting thought.
I just think that in order to be a Christian we must all allow ourselves to suffer a little in order to be able to help others. Many of us protect ourselves and control our perfect little lives so we can avoid this. But here’s a verse to think about:
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
~2 Corinthians 1:4
God wants me to be manifested in my weakness by being unable to have a child so that the world can see how I deal with it. I could have chosen to keep it quite, private, a secret but I haven’t. I think being honest about my unanswered prayers and barren belly is a great way for people to also see the amazing things that God has done in my life as a result. I may be cracked but I am still intact, in fact I am a Masterpiece. God may never choose to change my circumstance and I accept that. But if He does the world will know about that too. If I choose not to share these things about my life than what would my story be and how would I be able to comfort others? This is who I am and why I am able to and encourage and hopefully inspire so many others. I trust in God and therefore I have this testimony. God is sovereign, God is in control and God has a reason and a purpose. God is always BIGGER.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4
I don’t know about you but having faith for the things I cannot see is much more exciting than things I can see. If the best is yet to come and will last forever, than I say we fix our gaze on that.
If you missed out on my interview taped December 7, 2012 on 100 Huntley Street about ‘The Journey Of Adoption’ check it out on YouTube. I hope it’s encouraging to you on your journey whatever you may be.
in the clay,
Chantal Dube