“We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7 MSG)
In ancient days, oil lamps were used for lighting. Simple clay pots filled with olive oil were often used by households. A piece of cotton, often an old rag, would be saturated with oil and used as a wick. When lighted, this wick conveyed the oil from the container to the surface, fueling the flame. This took time. A wick that had not been soaked in oil for hours would burn out quickly.
Our ordinary lives are like clay lamps holding the oil of God’s anointing. These clay pots, no matter how highly decorated, are not worthy of attention. Their true value lies in their purpose--as a container of light. Our souls burn brightly when we are saturated in the Holy Spirit. This takes time, contemplation, and intentionality. A quick dip in a baptismal font does not equip us for service. Our natural talents, skills, and charisma may be enough to kindle an initial spark, but like a wick that is not properly soaked, we will burn out quickly. Experiencing the essence of God can be self-depleting and time-consuming. However, once we discover the anointing of the Holy Spirit within us, we can proceed to access this treasure. We no longer have to depend solely on our own raggedy skills sets. We are fueled by the power of God. The longer we absorb the Spirit, the more we are enabled to make the light of Christ evident.
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