Frequently, I experienced humiliation while employed as a music teacher and choral director. Twice I fell backwards off the stage. Once I tripped on the steps while ascending the stage. There was that special outdoor concert when my music blew off the stand into the audience. Especially humbling was the occasion I gave my acapella choir the incorrect beginning note via pitch pipe. Hence, the choristers began the “Hallelujah Chorus” on notes unsustainably high on their vocal cords.
TREASURE HIDDEN IN JARS OF CLAY
God speaks that despite our embarrassments and weaknesses, everything is ultimately in His hands. The most trying of circumstances can reveal His power when we let Him. II Corinthians 4:7-20 notes God’s take on the humbling circumstances believers encounter: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh…So we do not lose heart.
RENEWAL DAY BY DAY
Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
CHIPPED, CRACKED AND WEAK
Bottom line is “we have this treasure (the Gospel) in jars of clay (our bodies) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” A clay jar is not steel; it chips, cracks and becomes outwardly weaker with age. Those close to us are quite aware of our outward and inward chips and dents. However, we can make the choice to beautifully allow God to get the glory regardless of the circumstances. His power alone is available even amid the most painful and humbling moment(s).
CHOICES WE MAKE
Remember this the next time you are tired (your clay jar reality). You find yourself in the midst of a conversation that can direct someone toward Christ, but you are exhausted. Whose power will you choose in your weakness?
What about the next time you get stuck in line at the store and the person you are dealing with is rude? You would like very much to “righteously” set them straight (clay jar reality). Whose power will you choose in your weakness?
How about season(s) you feel down and alone? You become tempted to dwell on the pain regarding those who have forgotten you (your wilderness clay jar experience). Whose power will you choose in your weakness?
DISPLAYING ALL HIS POWER WHEN WE ARE WEAK
Our God isn’t as much concerned about our own dignity and personal lack of strength as He is in displaying all His glory in the moments when we are at our weakest. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” It is a choice to display God’s glory or to remain sadly immersed and caught up in our own weaknesses.
Are you are wondering and that memorable performance when the choir began singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” four notes too high? I stopped them after four measures. Smiling, I turned to the audience and blew the pitch pipe again (correctly this time). We resumed singing our unique version of the Hallelujah Chorus. Praise be to God, He renewed this old clay pot. Glory to His name!