"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7
This is my absolute favorite verse. I'm such a perfectionist and being a first born I tend to take on responsibility for everyone and everything around me. Reading 2 Corinthians 4:7 is always a refreshing release of the tension of responsibility that I constantly carry around in my chest. The reminder that God is the power behind my life and that I don't have to be responsible for everything I just have to be obedient to Him is always fresh, sweet water that soul needs.
I love 2 Cor 4:7 and it always ministers to me and today I saw something even more in it. I was thinking about all the things I am currently trying to change about myself. My list of imperfections is so long I often get depressed looking at my "earthen vessel". Like most women I spend a great deal of time trying to perfect myself and be supermom/woman/friend/wife and of course I never arrive. I never reach my goals, not completely anyway. I always fall short because I am such a human being and 95% of the time I try to reach my goal on my own and not through the power of God. Then I read verses like 2 Cor 4:7 and I am reminded to rely on Him. That thought to rely on God's power and provision is all well and good however, as I was thinking over my New Year's Resolutions and looking at this verse also I came to this realization: not only is God the power behind my life but He is GLORIFIED when I fail on my own. And when I fail again and am staring at my failures and all my flaws instead of shaking my head and punishing myself again for being so fallible I can REJOICE that I serve a God who is INFALLIBLE.
How awesome that I've found something Biblical and meaningful that I can do with my failures! In reading 2 Cor 4:7 today I not only feel relief of responsibility that is not mine I am redirected to glorify God when I fail instead of wallow in regret and self pity. The only New Year's Resolution that I am making this year is to take my eyes off my earthen vessel when I fail and glorify the power of God inside.
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1 comment:
Thanks for sharing this verse and your thoughts . . . it was really encouraging to read. I can totally relate to the feelings/thoughts that occur when you feel like you fail over and over. Thanks for reminding me of where my focus needs to be!
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