Treasure in Earthen Vessels
0 Comments Published by Marcia Somerville on Monday, September 24, 2007.
Originally published in Distaff, December 2005
Paul says, in 2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." The treasure he's talking about is "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4). Paul's image reminds me of where I was right before God called me to homeschool.
Scott and I had been given two precious sons in our first three years of marriage. I had my future all planned during that early season. My plan was to stay at home with my boys until they were of school age, and then, as soon as they were both happily ensconced in school, to begin a pottery business.
You see, I had always loved pottery making. I had learned to do it in high school, and was so interested in it in college that my father bought me an electric wheel for my wedding present! Later, Scott and I acquired a used kiln, so as my younger boy was turning one year old, I was happily dreaming of opening my own pottery shop, to the glory of God.
I planned to make evangelistic pottery. I had learned to make "Jesus bowls" while in college. These were of my own design, and were candles of sorts, intended as dinner table centerpieces. Made of clay, of course, and fairly small and low, and hand-thrown, each one was intended to be filled with water and a floating wick. As with a Halloween pumpkin, on one side of each bowl, I carved out various shapes: in one a Christian fish sign, or in another, a cross, or perhaps the word "Jesus." When the floating wick was lit, the light shone through the carved opening, and sent a Christian message: "You, too, can be an earthenware pot with the light of the glory of Christ shining out of you!" At least, that was what I wanted it to say.
Even back then I found so many parallels between pottery and the Christian life. Let me share a few with you.
Paul says, in 2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." The treasure he's talking about is "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4). Paul's image reminds me of where I was right before God called me to homeschool.Scott and I had been given two precious sons in our first three years of marriage. I had my future all planned during that early season. My plan was to stay at home with my boys until they were of school age, and then, as soon as they were both happily ensconced in school, to begin a pottery business.
You see, I had always loved pottery making. I had learned to do it in high school, and was so interested in it in college that my father bought me an electric wheel for my wedding present! Later, Scott and I acquired a used kiln, so as my younger boy was turning one year old, I was happily dreaming of opening my own pottery shop, to the glory of God.
I planned to make evangelistic pottery. I had learned to make "Jesus bowls" while in college. These were of my own design, and were candles of sorts, intended as dinner table centerpieces. Made of clay, of course, and fairly small and low, and hand-thrown, each one was intended to be filled with water and a floating wick. As with a Halloween pumpkin, on one side of each bowl, I carved out various shapes: in one a Christian fish sign, or in another, a cross, or perhaps the word "Jesus." When the floating wick was lit, the light shone through the carved opening, and sent a Christian message: "You, too, can be an earthenware pot with the light of the glory of Christ shining out of you!" At least, that was what I wanted it to say.
Even back then I found so many parallels between pottery and the Christian life. Let me share a few with you.
- First of all, consider clay, itself. Clay is humble stuff. It is common and cheap. It is not precious (like metal or gems). In ancient times, the most common vessels (for both honorable and dishonorable use) were made of clay.
- It is not strong, unless fired. Before and after firing, it is brittle, and therefore fragile.
- Unfired clay is also porous, and is only good for storing dry goods. One cannot cook in it or eat from it before it undergoes the fiery process of firing. Only in extreme heat can clay be made truly useful.
- When you throw a pot (meaning, form one on a wheel), the first thing you do is to wedge the clay. Wedging involves squeezing and pressing the clay in repeated ways (much like kneading bread dough). You wedge clay in order to get all the little clay platelets (which are like tiny coins) to lay flat against one another, and to remove any air bubbles that are embedded in the clay. (If air bubbles remain, when the clay is fired, the air will expand and crack the wall of the pot.)
- Once wedged, you take the lump of clay and literally throw it as near to the center of the potter's wheel as you can. Then, you start the wheel spinning and, using water for lubrication, you begin to center the clay. The clay must again be pressed, pushed, and molded by the potter such that it spins "on center." Indeed, the clay must be perfectly centered in order to form a useful pot.
- After centering, the potter opens the lump with his thumbs, and then uses his fingers to draw up the walls of the pot. He fashions those walls as high and as thick as are needed for the use for which he intends.
- When the pot is finished, it must dry. Then, depending on its use, the potter may choose to fire it, then possibly glaze and fire it again.
God had such different plans for me than I had for myself in those early days. The "wedging" process began when I discovered that I was unexpectedly pregnant with my third child (who was born on our fourth anniversary). When I was about at half-term, my married, but childless friend, bounced excitedly into my kitchen one afternoon and told me, "I've found it! I've found the answer! It's homeschooling." As she explained what homeschooling was, I was not an early acceptor. After all, I had my plans made about how I intended to glorify God.
Slowly, carefully, and surely, the Master Potter wedged out my plans, my dreams of grandeur, and my preferences. As events unfolded, my desires changed and I became more and more pliable in His hands. He placed me on His wheel, and used His skill to center me, open me to new possibilities for my life (giving me two more children so that I had five under the age of seven and then our precious baby girl three years after that, while in law school), raise my walls and shape me (through the ministry of His church and other fellow pilgrims in my life) and then to fill me as I emptied myself. He fired me in the kiln of trials so that I got stronger, and never, ever let me fall to shatter on the ground.
Well, twenty years later, here I am. I never did open that pottery shop; I never did glorify God through making and selling Jesus bowls. Instead, I poured myself out by raising and homeschooling my six children with my whole heart. As I have sought to submit myself to the Master Potter, I have only become more and more aware of my clay-like nature: how truly humble I am in myself in terms of any abilities, strengths, or personal dignity. So much of homeschooling is done out of the limelight, where only God sees. So much of it seems to involve confusion, and struggle, and perseverance, and faith. At least, that's how it always seemed to me.
But there is this truth: within my jar of clay, all those years, there did burn a flame. It was the knowledge of the glory of God. As earthen as I was -- weak, humble, fragile, not valuable in myself, common, mere dirt in the eyes of most people -- I contained a precious treasure. I was not glorious, but the treasure was priceless. And, as God worked, it began to shine out of me just as my Jesus-bowl candles were intended to shine. When you look at a Jesus bowl, it's not the bowl you notice; it's the light.
So, dear sister, if you are a Christian, you, too, are -- truly -- an earthen vessel. This is right; this is good. It has an eternal purpose: "to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." As He, the Master Potter, spins you and presses you, your life is not out of control. As you look around and don't seem to see progress, or seem to see nothing but your faults, He is working -- oh so intently -- to make of you a vessel for honorable use.
Know what? This is true of your children, as well. They, too, if they belong to Christ, are vessels who are just beginning the process. May I encourage you? See them as clay, but see them as unfinished vessels in the Master's hand and be both encouraged and strengthened as you purpose to be a worthy apprentice in the Potter's shop. Attempt to strengthen and encourage them that God is at work. Point out evidences of grace in their lives, show them that the process is a sure and steady one, and look for ways to pour into them, over and over, the knowledge of the glorious gospel of Christ!
Labels: encouragement
Originally published in Distaff, December 2005
In keeping with our true status as vessels of clay, may I highly recommend for reading in your devotional times this gem? It happens to be written by my former Senior Pastor, CJ Mahaney, which only adds to my ability to strongly recommend it, since I know the man "up close and personal." Though he is one of the most gifted pastors of our times (I believe), he has worked very hard to school himself in humility for over thirty years. His book is both inspiring and practical.
In keeping with our true status as vessels of clay, may I highly recommend for reading in your devotional times this gem? It happens to be written by my former Senior Pastor, CJ Mahaney, which only adds to my ability to strongly recommend it, since I know the man "up close and personal." Though he is one of the most gifted pastors of our times (I believe), he has worked very hard to school himself in humility for over thirty years. His book is both inspiring and practical.
Labels: recommendation
As we start down the runway...
1 Comments Published by Marcia Somerville on Friday, September 21, 2007.
Originally posted on The Forum on August 13th, 2007
I am not, for the first time in 22 years, starting school with K-12 this year. [sniff*]
However, I well remember almost every one of the 22 times that I did. I likened the week before to warming up the jets before lumbering down a LONG runway to finally take off and achieve lift-off into that smooth flow that generally characterized my homeschooling year.
Some years, that lumbering, straining, ramping-up to take-off speed lasted for WEEKS; other years, we were soaring after the first week or two. If it was the former, I certainly was tempted to stress out, get my eyes off of God, and attempt to get everyone INTO LINE via my own efforts. I easily relied on myself and lost sight of God, His purposes in me and my kids, and His grace for homeschooling. (Sad to say, the reverse was equally true: all too often, when we soared early, I gave myself a pat on the back AND the glory.
)
I wanted to say a few words to the TOG moms who are just starting with a brand new program. Please remember, as you approach the runway, that TOG is going to look different in all families because it's designed for many different KINDS of families to easily adapt it. That's what we mean when we attempt to warn new moms of the "four-week fog." You may feel that you are "missing it" or "aren't getting it" but try rather to think, "I am coming up to speed with a brand new skill."
Here's another helpful (I hope) analogy: it takes more time for a new bride to cook her first Thanksgiving dinner for all the relatives than it does for a mother of five who has been having the relatives over for 15 years, right? Why should learning a whole new system for teaching all kids simultaneously be any different? Give yourself grace and space and realize that this is a GREAT time to rely on the grace of God.
Let me take this opportunity to preach a little truth to all new TOG moms from a Titus 2 platform:
1. He is with you, and nothing you "drop" in your homeschooling journey will truly HARM you or your kids. If we are doing our level best, it just humbles us and should make us turn to Him to make it all ok.
2. He is NOT surprised at any obstacle you face. Obstacles test us to see if we will try to muddle through on our own, or turn to God in faith and trust and watch Him make our paths straight.
3. He loves it when we are weak, for then His strength is displayed and perfected in our weakness.
As I often remind moms in my teaching sessions, homeschool is as much about OUR sanctification and growth in God as it is about our kids'. Big Grin I pray for all of us in starting school this year that Satan will gain no foothold in the fertile soil of our self-sufficiency, but rather that we will ALL cast our cares on Him, because He cares for us! Here are some verses for us to all meditate on as we start our year:
Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
[6] In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
[7] Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
[8] It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Psalm 37:3-8 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
[4] Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
[5] Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
[6] He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
[7] Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
[8] Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
2 Cor. 11:30 (ESV)
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2 Cor. 12:9-10 (ESV)
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Cor. 13:4 (ESV)
For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
James 4:6 (ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:10 (ESV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
*I DO however have two girls starting fresh at two different college campuses!
I am not, for the first time in 22 years, starting school with K-12 this year. [sniff*]However, I well remember almost every one of the 22 times that I did. I likened the week before to warming up the jets before lumbering down a LONG runway to finally take off and achieve lift-off into that smooth flow that generally characterized my homeschooling year.
Some years, that lumbering, straining, ramping-up to take-off speed lasted for WEEKS; other years, we were soaring after the first week or two. If it was the former, I certainly was tempted to stress out, get my eyes off of God, and attempt to get everyone INTO LINE via my own efforts. I easily relied on myself and lost sight of God, His purposes in me and my kids, and His grace for homeschooling. (Sad to say, the reverse was equally true: all too often, when we soared early, I gave myself a pat on the back AND the glory.
)I wanted to say a few words to the TOG moms who are just starting with a brand new program. Please remember, as you approach the runway, that TOG is going to look different in all families because it's designed for many different KINDS of families to easily adapt it. That's what we mean when we attempt to warn new moms of the "four-week fog." You may feel that you are "missing it" or "aren't getting it" but try rather to think, "I am coming up to speed with a brand new skill."
Here's another helpful (I hope) analogy: it takes more time for a new bride to cook her first Thanksgiving dinner for all the relatives than it does for a mother of five who has been having the relatives over for 15 years, right? Why should learning a whole new system for teaching all kids simultaneously be any different? Give yourself grace and space and realize that this is a GREAT time to rely on the grace of God.
Let me take this opportunity to preach a little truth to all new TOG moms from a Titus 2 platform:
1. He is with you, and nothing you "drop" in your homeschooling journey will truly HARM you or your kids. If we are doing our level best, it just humbles us and should make us turn to Him to make it all ok.
2. He is NOT surprised at any obstacle you face. Obstacles test us to see if we will try to muddle through on our own, or turn to God in faith and trust and watch Him make our paths straight.
3. He loves it when we are weak, for then His strength is displayed and perfected in our weakness.
As I often remind moms in my teaching sessions, homeschool is as much about OUR sanctification and growth in God as it is about our kids'. Big Grin I pray for all of us in starting school this year that Satan will gain no foothold in the fertile soil of our self-sufficiency, but rather that we will ALL cast our cares on Him, because He cares for us! Here are some verses for us to all meditate on as we start our year:
Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
[6] In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
[7] Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
[8] It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Psalm 37:3-8 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
[4] Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
[5] Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
[6] He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
[7] Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
[8] Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
2 Cor. 11:30 (ESV)
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2 Cor. 12:9-10 (ESV)
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Cor. 13:4 (ESV)
For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
James 4:6 (ESV)
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:10 (ESV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, [7] casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
*I DO however have two girls starting fresh at two different college campuses!
Labels: starting school
