Job 34-36 / 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 / Psalm 44:1-8 / Proverbs 22:10-12
How does one go about determining the value of something? If we’re speaking of antiques, I’ve heard there are several criteria. The age, the condition, is there original packaging, and how rare is the item, as in how many of that item were made? Valuing items may be a little simpler to do, especially since one can do a search for a similar item online and get an idea of the value. But how does one value people?
Perhaps I should state that question more clearly. I am obviously not telling you to place a monetary value on a person, though some people do such things. In my opinion, humans are of inestimable value. We are patterned after our Creator and the worth He places on us is not determined in dollars and cents.
Have you ever wanted someone in your life only for what they could give you, do for you, or gain for you? Not only is that dysfunctional, but it’s also abusive. We must love people because they are people not because they can benefit our lives in any way. If I sense someone is using me instead of loving me, I’m going to distance myself from that relationship. I will not be used.
God, the creator of the universe loves us so much that He found a way to impart Himself into us. The God of Heaven, the One who is all-powerful and all-knowing, placed His Spirit inside dusty vessels, or clay jars. As I read 2 Corinthians 4:7 I imagined the life and light of God bursting forth out of us, knowing we cannot possibly contain His majesty.
2 Corinthians 4:7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
God has absolutely nothing to gain by placing Himself into human containers. The only “benefit” is that we gain life and peace through our Lord Jesus Christ, and anyone who receives this gift is made right with God and inherits eternal life. That sounds like we are the ones who gain all the benefits!
When that verse refers to us as fragile clay jars, that is when I imagined His light and life bursting out of us. However, for His light to emanate from us, we must allow some cracks, some breaking, some imperfections. Since we are already imperfect, if we’ll embrace our imperfections, we are perfect candidates for showing forth the glory of God.
That is part of why He fills us, so that we can show His glory in the earth, drawing others to the eternal life we “house”. After all, wouldn’t we want everyone to share in the life of Christ both here and in Heaven? That is God’s heart in sending His Son to earth to life a sinless life, die on a cross, and rise again. God wanted to reconcile the ones He created to Himself.
We were once separated by sin, but we no longer need to live that way. A way has been provided for a restored relationship with God. It is amazing; that God would want a relationship with us. Perfection loves imperfection. The sinless One loves those who are chained by sin.
The next time you’re looking at a fellow human, remember that she or he was created by God as an object of love. He loves them regardless of how they behave or how they treat you or me. Remember that clay vessel contains the life of God (if they have received Him) and treat her or him with love and respect.
