Powerful Clay Jars

By Chad McComas

There is no better feeling than the feeling of being powerful.

There is no worse feeling that the feeling of being powerless.

When I know that I have all the power I need to accomplish a task, deal with a problem, take care of a need, I feel secure and confident.

But, when I know I don’t have the power I need to do anything, even make a phone call or pay a bill or deal with a broken relationship I feel insecure and incapable. I just want to give up.

Power is essential to life success. It is a vital energy that we all rise and fall on.

Of course as important as power is it is too often misused and abused. All one has to do is look at history to see the many blatant abuses of power. We may only need to look close around us at our own families, churches, jobs, marriages, and friendships to see power used to hurt. Arrogance, pride, and rage are power out of control. Humbleness is power under control.

Everyone has power and how we use the power we have indicates who is in charge of our lives.

Jesus said that by our fruit we will be known in this world.

By our power source we will be known in this world.

Notice what Paul said about his source of power.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power if 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…though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day…so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:7,8,16,18

So, what do the people around us see when they look at us as followers of Jesus? Do they see God’s power at work in our lives? Do they see us as jars of clay filled with power from God? Do they see us as victorious in life? Do they see us powerful over sin? Do they see us using power to serve others? Do they see us using power to handle all the challenges of life? Do they see us as victors (powerful) or victims (powerless)?

Jesus has all authority (all power). Do we act like it?

Paul reminds us that there is plenty of power available to do what God wants us to do. We are not powerless rather, we have power. Note: “I can do all everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13.

Jesus told us we could do amazing things. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:12-14

I get the idea that Jesus wants us to live a “powerful” life here on this earth. Are we? And if not…why not?