“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 God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).
This week, I found myself wrestling with an awareness of my limitations. As I prayer-walked through a labyrinth, releasing my feelings of inadequacy, God reminded me of this passage. We hold the treasure of God in our mortal bodies, jars of earthen clay, SO THAT God’s surpassing power would be seen and known and recognized.
From these verses, God reminded me of two important truths. First, God has placed the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in our hearts. This means that the treasure of God is in us. Second, we are jars made of clay, not something fancier, and this has a purpose. If we were fancier, it would be more difficult for others to recognize that it’s God in us, doing mighty works through us.
I’m struck by this truth that God knows our limitations. God knows the boundaries of the body we have been placed in. God doesn’t fault us for them and nor is God hindered by them. Our limitations don’t limit God’s work in us. Our limitations make a way for God’s glory to shine through.
So, we can “own” our limitations rather than denying them or running away from them. We can be like Paul, who had the right idea, and choose to lean into our weaknesses — for the glory of God (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
