Verse

2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Thoughts

If you know me, you know that I don’t like to stay still very often. In my infinite wisdom, during “lock down,” I decided I would refinish our kitchen table. I have been avoiding this project for years. However, the table looked like it was recovered from a shipwreck! And not in the cool, worn and distressed look. We are talking acrylic paint from the kid’s projects (and mine lol) and scratches galore! Not vintage. Just plain beat up!

I have some knowledge around the subject, so I wasn’t worried that I was throwing myself into the unknown. I was honestly putting it off so long because I knew it would take TONS of time. It was also going to inconvenience all of us. Our kitchen table is the main hub of this house. Even though we have desks in the kid’s rooms, they do schoolwork at the kitchen table. Even though I have space for when I work, I often chose the kitchen table. I wish I could blame the kids for the shipwrecked table, but I fear I am also part of the disaster! I do try to blame them for everything….my wrinkles, grey hair, messy house, laundry stack, and on and on. In this case though, I know I need to take some credit.

Knowing that we use it nonstop, I kept using that as a large excuse to not refinish it. Now that “time” isn’t my excuse, I started refinishing! We took off the table top and I sanded it like no one has ever sanded before!!!! After a good bit of time and other steps, it was ready to be stained. After four coats of meticulous staining, it was ready to come inside for the next steps! As I looked over the table top, I began to notice a few flaws. GGGRRR!!!!! How?! I had been working in natural light! I have sanded SO many pieces before! How could I miss these flaws???

With a good attitude and cheerful heart, I put on worship music and began to lovingly buff out the flaws…..Oh wait. That doesn’t sound like me. I threw a temper tantrum! “Figures!!!! I have worked SO hard on this STUPID table!!! I get all the way to THIS step and NOW I see THIS!!!!! I can’t do ANYTHING right!” My sad little tantrum went on for a good while. Christian kindly listened to me (wisely keeping his mouth shut and not offering his help or solutions) vent about life being unfair and the injustices of the world. I grabbed a piece of sandpaper and started to buff out the imperfections. As I started to sand, I felt the Lord say to me, ”You often think things are complete or finished, but when I place them in a different light, it is then you will see I am still working. Just because you think it is finished, doesn’t mean I am.” Needless to say, I gave God a HUGE eye roll on that comment!

He wasn’t being cruel by showing me the imperfections at that time. However,He lovingly used it to remind me that when I think I am “finished”, He still has more refining to do in me. He brings me into another step of the process. And I have to trust He will show me the imperfections at just the right time. It says in 2 Corinthians 4:7, ”But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” It was the perfect reminder for me. A good kick in the butt is what I needed. No matter how hard you work, no matter what sacrifices you make, you are still the “ jar.” It is what is inside you that is the treasure. It is Jesus. A wonderful reminder for me to stop looking at what I have done and accomplished, and instead to look at His ways and love for me in a new light. Knowing I won’t be a finished project of His but one that will keep on being refined. I can go to great lengths to work on myself and take all the right steps, BUT without His light and workmanship in me, what is it all for?

As you go about your day today, remember that His light will illuminate the spots still in need of His care. That He works from within the jar. We are a work in constant progress. We might think at times we are “finished” with an aspect of our character, etc. But, are we still willing to be molded into His likeness? Or have we decided the “project” is complete?

I encourage you to take a look at your heart in a different light today. It is there we will see the imperfections He is wanting to sand out. It is there we can be filled up with more of Him and His, “all-surpassing power is from God and not from us”.