So We Do Not Lose Heart

In 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, Paul writes, “We have this treasure in clay jars…” The clay jars are our own frail, faulty, human lives. This treasure is the Gospel. Here, Paul seems to have this understanding of the gospel that it is not just a message to be shared – though it is that – but it is also God’s power at work with us. 

Now we know from other parts of this letter, that Paul himself had really been through it. He had been shipwrecked, beaten, stoned, thrown in jail, and ostracized by his community. He had endured hardship after hardship. We get the sense that were it not for his faith, he would be hanging on by the last thread. In fact, he writes:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…

He goes on to write: “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.”  

Even in the midst of the trials and tribulations of life, there is an inner strength that is growing, a grace that arises.

Over the years I’ve heard stories from people about how just when life seemed to be falling apart – something deep inside started to grow: a hope that couldn’t be contained, a hope that they would see a loved one again; hope that tomorrow doesn’t have to be the same as today – things can change – that there can be a new start. 

I’ve had others tell me that just at that moment when they thought they were just about beyond their ability to cope – a strange peace came over them, or an inexplicable sense of joy arose out of the darkness…

Paul is saying, all that I’ve gone through, all that I’m going through – it’s bad – but it will not have the last word. And, I know that even in the midst of all that I’m going through, God is at work. And perhaps God can use this brokenness, this frailty, this clay jar – even this suffering to help others… to bless others.

I don’t know what you are going through right now. But the promise of the gospel is that those hurts can heal, that God can turn the pain of life into healing salve, and that if we are open to it, even out of suffering – great light can break forth.

Let us pray: We trust, O God, that your power and grace at work, in us and beyond us. Even in our brokenness, even as we are being healed, may your grace, mercy, and peace flow through us to touch a hurting world. Amen.