Jars of Clay

When you buy a nice piece of jewelry, it is often tucked into a setting of black- or dark-colored velvet. I think it’s designed that way so that your attention is immediately drawn to the beauty of the jewelry. If the packaging were highly decorated, it would compete with the beauty of the treasure.

It reminds me of Paul’s comments about the ministry of Jesus through us, when he said, “We have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Cor. 4:7 niv). It’s easy to forget that we are the packaging and His work is the treasure. So we adorn our jars of clay, taking credit for the things we do to serve Christ. We seek to bring glory to ourselves when we’ve forgiven someone, or shown mercy, or given generously. The problem is, when we start seeking affirmation and praise for good deeds, we compete with the brilliance of the treasure of God working through us.

When we do things for Christ, it’s not about us but about His glory. The less obvious we are, the more brilliant He becomes. Which is why, Paul says, the treasure has been put in jars of clay so that God would be the one to be glorified. Besides, since when are jars of clay significant? It’s what’s inside that counts!

Help us not to cloud God’s glory
Nor with self His light to dim;
May each thought to Christ be captive,
Emptied to be filled with Him. —Anon.

Let the brilliance of the treasure of Christ shine through you as you live for Him.

Our Daily Bread

for a happy valentine's heart

Ten ways to love:
1. Listen without interrupting. (Proverbs 18)
2. Speak without accusing. (James 1:19)
3. Give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26)
4. Pray without ceasing. (Colossians 1:9)
5. Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1)
6. Share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15)
7. Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians 2:14)
8. Trust without wavering. (Corinthians 13:7)
9. Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13)
10. Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

my alabaster flask

"the penalty kick is the hardest kick for a goal keeper to block because the kicker gets to kick at such a close range at a pretty big goal.  also, the rules state that the goal keeper is not allowed to leave the goal line until the ball is kicked, which means that before the ball is kicked, he has to commit to a direction in which he's going to block that ball. he can't wait to see where the ball is going and then choose a side because if he does, it's too late - the ball is in the goal. the thing about committing is that when you throw your body in one direction, you're totally vulnerable on the other. but that's what committing requires.

similarly, in relationship with others, if you really want to get to know someone, you gotta open up and reveal yourself - open you heart and show them what's inside. maybe show some bad things and some good things. without being vulnerable, it's shallow. no true relationship exists without commitment, and no commitment is without vulnerability. 

in this way, the woman with the alabaster jar is willing to sacrifice everything to follow Jesus. she broke the flask, which is the thing that gives her power, desirability, her livelihood. this is what she trusts in, like a surgeon and his hands. when she breaks it, she is saying i don't know how i'm going to live but i have a better use for this flask. she is committing, hence not knowing where her next meal will come from and there's is no turning back. she is saying, i don't know what tomorrow is going to bring, but Jesus, i'm just going to make you the master of everything in my life - master of my job, my relationships, my sexuality, everything, you're the master! you're all that i want, and i'm showing that by pouring it all out at your feet."

Pastor Dong Kyu says we all have that alabaster jar around our necks, which says, because of this thing, i know where my meal is coming from, because of this thing, i know people like me and want me, i know i'm attractive, i'm worthy. take this away from me and i'm nothing... we're all going to pour it out on someone's feet. but whose feet will you pour it on? who is going to have ownership of your heart? who is going to be your master? and are they going to satisfy you like Jesus can?

Lord, YOU are my master. You're in control. i want to take the flask that i carry around my neck, the thing that i'm protecting, and break it at Jesus' feet - let go of this and be dependent on Jesus... not always trying to transform the world, but being reminded of how God transforms my heart and just let it work in me.

from Pastor Dong Kyu's sermon What Makes a Person Committed to Jesus (Luke 7:36-48)

"most enthusiastic"

i find "enthusiasm" annoying.

wait, wait - let me rephrase that: i find my own "enthusiasm" very annoying. (i will not mention the story of how i was voted "most enthusiastic" in 8th grade or i will get upset again.....) often times, i have a hard time loving people with this characteristic. i know... i know. there is nothing wrong with them... it's ME! it's me that i don't like seeing the reflection of.

what is it about the "enthusiasm"? well, plainly stated, people have been so annoyed and turned-off by my hyper activity that they've hurt me. (yes, once again, this entry is about my pain... -_-). so naturally, when i see someone acting "enthusiastic" or "hyper" i am inclined to run from their presence (because it make me feel cringey inside) or judge them harshly (ironically, the way that others have done to me). and so the cycle continues? no! i must break the cycle and appreciate them for their liveliness. (e.g., being on fire for God, unashamedly singing that Disney song they love a little too loudly, for hugging to tightly, for shrieking with excitement, etc). this world (filled with God's people) is not always about me me me and the way that i want to see people through my own experiences and understanding. it's about HIM - because God accepts and loves us, just the way we are.

subsequently, i have a natural affinity towards people who are quiet, calm, brooding, maybe even melancholy... because they are so opposite! just as an electron is enticed to be near the proton, God made us to be complementary to those who are different. (maybe my opposites appreciate my lightness, my zest, cuz they need a bit more "enthusiasm" in their lives). hallelujah~