Earthen Vessels
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-7
Being scheduled for exams at Galveston Texas prison hospital, I knew that difficult days were ahead. Doctor appointments with specialists are not as easily accessible as those in the "free world." In short, it is four separate uncomfortable bus rides, struggling with little sleep, motion sickness, hard plastic benches, no room to move, and having to use the restroom while handcuffed to another man. This journey to the transit unit, on to the hospital, back to the transit unit, and then to the home unit can take from 1 to 8 weeks.
Because I have experienced this trip before, I knew what would lie ahead so I prayed that God would use this trip as an opportunity for me to be a light to those trapped in darkness. As Christians, we attract the attention of others when we act contrarily to the typical human response to adversity. When we reveal inward joy even through trials, it makes people take notice, especially the lost (1 Peter 3:15).
During transit, I was exposed to all segments of the inmate population, those just hitting the system with long sentences as well as those being released. Because I had been in each of their places at one point, I was able to witness about God's faithfulness along my own journey. As they faced the darkest moment of their lives or the fear of what awaited them after release, I could reflect God's light and testify to each one. I was able to offer hope to those who felt defeated.
Jesus often used parables to hide the gospel from the prideful and self-righteous while revealing it to the repentant sinner. He called His disciples from the common folk and outcasts, and preached to tax collectors and prostitutes. He has never changed. Today's text calls us earthen vessels. We each have had our weaknesses, failures and strongholds, but Jesus has saved and redeemed us to be witnesses through all the world. God uses the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). The greater our failures, the greater our testimony, because it was never our strength but His. Light shines greatest in the darkest moments, and a small candle shines bright when a storm knocks out the electricity. Our calling is to be that light of Christ which shines from a joyful and thankful heart to those caught in the dark.
Everyone has struggles. The bills may be overdue, our spouse may leave, our child might be killed, we may get cancer, or we could get fired and lose the house. The size of our trial does not matter as much as the solution. Jesus promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5), and to meet all of our needs (Matthew 6:30). We each have an opportunity to walk in faith. God has our lives perfectly planned, and no sickness or calamity takes God by surprise. He promised to be with us through it all and to see us to our perfect end. When we show our thanksgiving and joy when it is supernatural, people wonder at our hope.
We are earthen vessels that the master craftsman is reshaping to be a masterpiece to reveal His glory. Our testimony is strongest because we who have fallen were lifted up as witnesses to God's power. We can speak to the hopeless and unlovable because that is what we were before salvation. God has made us vessels and given us light. We cannot help but let it shine.
