Living In An Egg Shell

Living in an egg shell

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

I have said many times that our life is so fragile, so delicate, that if it wasn't for the protection of our Lord we couldn't last very long in this flesh we live in. It's like living in an egg shell.

Of course when we were young we thought we were invincible, indestructible. Most did things to put their lives in danger when younger and never thought about dying. But, the older we get, the more we appreciate the life God has given.

Paul said that we have these earthen vessels. You know, the important thing about a vessel is that it be clean, empty, and available for service. We are vessels so that God might use us. We are earthen vessels so that we might depend on God’s power and not our own. We must focus on the treasure and not on the vessel. Paul was not afraid of suffering or trial, because he knew that God would guard the vessel so long as Paul was guarding the treasure.

Not only must we focus on the treasure and not on the vessel, but we must also focus on the Master and not on the servant. If we suffer, it is for Jesus sake. If we die to self, it is so that the life of Christ might be revealed in us. If we go through trials, it is so that Christ might be glorified. And all of this is for the sake of others. As we serve Christ, death of this vessel grows closer...but life works in those we minister too.

Sometimes life is rough on this egg shell we live in. Sometimes life handles us...not with care but, with downright roughness. Life produces cracks many times but, our protective God heals us over time when we trust Him.

When life produces cracks in this egg shell life we live in...and when God mends us...we should allow Him to shine through it all because, we have nothing to crow about...it's all about Him.

I couldn't help but think about the story of Gideon when he attacked the Midianites in Judges chapter 7 while thinking of what Paul said about having a treasure in our earthen vessels. God cut Gideon's army down to 300 men so He would get the glory rather than Gideon. If he had took thousands of men rather than the 300 that God chose, he would have boosted

The plan was each soldier would take a trumpet, a pitcher and a lamp. They would surround the camp of those Midianites with the lamp inside the pitcher and at Gideon's signal they would blow their trumpets, then break those pitchers with their trumpets thus leaving those lamps burning around that camp. Well it worked, the enemy fled leaving Gideon and only 300 soldiers with a great victory over the enemy.

The treasure inside our vessel gives us the victory because of what Jesus did for us. We let the gospel shine because, we have the Comforter, the Redeemer, the Holy Spirit, the Good Shepherd, we have our Saviour that lives, we have more than a promise, we have the deposit for our eternal destiny through Jesus Christ our Lord. How do I know He lives because, He lives in me.

Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller www.themillersbiblestudy.com