Seek to store up yourself for God

A nice backpack.  I bought one this summer to use with football, it was a hot summer, it has a spot for a water bladder as well as many pockets for a variety of playbooks, tape, whistles and various other supplies.  When it got to the late season my coat and gloves lived in it, just in case I needed them.  It was well suited for my needs this summer.

A small plastic box.  I got these boxes when I owned a station wagon and was driving between clients on a regular basis.  This box was clear, held pens, guitar picks, an old cellphone and charger.  It kept things dry and readily available, well suited for my wagon and still useful for me today.

A sling backpack. I have really enjoyed muzzleloader hunting these past two years, but there is so much equipment and supplies that need to be toted along.  The need is for something water resistant but small enough to not slow me down.  It needed enough space for the tools, but not too much that you have to dump it out to find everything.  Not too big, not to small, but just right.

I really enjoy having just the right thing, for just the right project.  A perfect tool for the task at hand.  Sometimes you need more space, other times to see what is inside, still other times small enough to be useful but not burdensome.  Each tool suited for the task and ready to be used again.

Paul takes time to talk about how those in his age preserved their treasures.  A large egg shaped clay jar was shaped to be sealed up once filled.  These jars were made this way purposefully, rounded, thick and with a rim that a rope could be tied around.  Into this jar the most valuable things would be placed, to be preserved for generations.  What would you seal up in this jar?

Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 4:5-9

5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

We seek to seal and store up for ourselves the work of God in our lives.  This work that God does in our lives shines through our lives to others.  If we carry the work of God into every relationship and interaction people should see Christ shining through us.  No matter how tough life is, Christ is working to support, encourage, and preserve our faith in Him.  These jars of clay we call our lives are broken in places, but it is in the cracks and brokenness of our lives that Christ shines through.  A jar of clay well suited to reveal Christ’s work.