But we have this treasure in jars of 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. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

In this passage, we are being referred to as “jars of clay.” I just love that picture, but, oh boy, didn’t I feel like a lump of clay earlier today, not a jar. A jar stands up and contains things and has purpose while a lump just sits there and is…well…lumpy.

I flew out to Cleveland for an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic yesterday, expecting to be home with my family by now. Instead, I’m waiting on my brother-in-law’s pull-out couch in a frozen tundra called Brecksville, a rather lovely little town (I can imagine when it thaws out), about 10 miles outside of the city. I managed to get one bag of Twizzlers into his carb-free dwelling, determined to ration them out to myself. That’s not going so well.

The Cleveland Clinic is like the Emerald City of Hospitals. I went to my scheduled appointment and the doctor strongly recommended I also consult with one of his colleagues, who, apparently, has a very long wait time for appointments. However, the other doctor agreed to see me this week but was unable to commit to an exact time. I was so impressed by the clinic and my visit with the first doctor that I felt it would be wise to stay and wait it out. I just learned within the past couple of hours that my appointment will be tomorrow!

There is a very good chance that this next appointment will lead to more testing. I won’t go into detail at this time until I have more information.

I felt like a lump of clay because I am only really able to sit here due to the weakness in my legs. I felt like a lump of clay because I’m just waiting. I felt like a lump of clay because I am away from what gives me feelings of purpose.

A jar has purpose. But God didn’t say “you are a jar of clay only if you can walk and take care of your kids and have a job and _________ fill in the blank.” He said that we are jars of clay to show that power is from Him and not us. THAT is the purpose! He also said we are HARD PRESSED on every side but NOT CRUSHED. I may feel like a purposeless lump instead of a purposeful jar but I AM NOT A LUMP! (Ok you can laugh here. I absolutely am right now, just so you know! But stay with me)

As long as our purpose is HIS purpose, we won’t stay feeling like lumps for long because we will realize that even though things may seem to be going in a direction that we are NOT in love with, we can trust that God’s power is being shown to those who need to see it. I’m finding that there are quite a few times when the person who ends up seeing God’s power is..ME. When those lumpy feelings start to creep in, we have to turn to TRUTH. We can’t always trust our feelings, but we can continually trust God’s unfailing Word.

Journey with me (temporarily in the carb-less tundra)