Devotion: Try Again
Please take the time to read 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
If there were a top 10 list of the most influential events in the Bible contributing to the spread of Christianity, Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus could be one of them. Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christians with a vengeance. Anyone who believed in Christ was either imprisoned or killed. On his way to Damascus to continue his mission of ruthless persecution, Saul was confronted by the risen Lord, being blinded by the light of the truth of the gospel. His conversion to Christianity led him to become the greatest missionary in the history of the Bible.
Paul learned of God’s mercy, grace, and strength as he endured being stoned, beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and betrayed. In Paul’s weakness, God’s power made him strong. That strength helped him to carry on some of his greatest ministry within the prison walls.
Pastor Michelle, in her sermon last Sunday, asked the question: How do we persevere when we are faced with hardship, worry, stress, and the unknown? How do we carry on?
Paul encourages us not to lose heart. We are outwardly wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed. We do not walk alone; God’s light shines in the darkness. This glorious light is a treasure we have in clay jars that God has molded us into. God formed us out of clay, making us earthen vessels. We walk around as cracked pots, suffering from our own challenges and struggles. Some of us may have chips and hairline cracks, while others go much deeper. We are not to stress over our imperfection, but take heart.
Our inner nature is being renewed daily by God’s light of grace, mercy, and strength. This inner light also shines through the cracks in our pots, equipping us to minister to others. He will take us, cracked pots and all, and restore us again in His eternal kingdom. We will look at what cannot be seen and have faith in what God has promised us: eternal life with Him. Of this, we can be sure.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We offer our weak and imperfect human bodies to you as a container that holds your most precious treasure, the light and power of Jesus Christ. Fill our cracked pots with grace, mercy and strength that will restore and renew us. We put our trust in what cannot be seen, but is eternal.
Amen.
Written by Janece Nelson
Janece and husband, Mike, have been members of Sheridan for more than twenty years. Janece is a retired mathematics instructor teaching at the middle school and college level. They are blessed with two children and three grandchildren.
Janece finds her greatest joy in spending time with her family and friends. Her passion is writing devotions for patients in hospitals and rehabs she sees every Monday as a Sheridan hospital visitor. As a Teammate she also mentors girls at Boys Town. Janece credits Faith Builders and Companions in Christ for her spiritual growth.