Amazing, Powerful Jars of Clay

[My friend Gelu Teampeau of Cluj, Romania provided the beautiful photo of hanging clay pots in the header artwork. Pardon my repeating it with this post, for the sake of  inclusion in the archives.]

For months, I contemplated this graceful photo of mysterious jars of clay suspended by cords against a distant sky. Finally, curiosity bested me. I messaged Gelu, "Why?," with the photo attached. He explained that this was a common sight in rural Transylvania. For countless decades, women have hung pots from beams as protection from Romanian earthquakes. Pots stored on shelves or in cabinets shatter when shaken to the floor; those suspended on cords sway safely until the temblor calms. What an ingenious, charming solution!

There is a spiritual truth symbolized in these hanging jars. Paul compared our bodies to frail shells, earthen vessels, filled by a source of substantial power. This idea of "power in a jar" brought to mind clay jars discovered in ancient Babylonia, now Iraq, that may have been batteries. Suddenly, I had the fanciful thought that Paul's description may have referred to an amazing scientific discovery that he witnessed on the Corinthian streets. I don't know this for sure, but it could be, because the Holy Spirit provides power and strength for daily life. Regardles, Paul's description of being filled by God's power gives me encouragement to draw upon that power, so that even the toughest days become filled with grace.

If believers are like clay jars, the shelves might represent how we cope by our own strengths against the severest tests in life. Government, religious ritual, psychology, superstition or tradition may be some of the "shelves" we build. Such furnishings appear to be strong, safe protection. During hard times, we seek to build sturdier structures to protect our earthen vessels. In calmer times, such human efforts effectively support and display the treasures placed within. However, during the earthquakes of life, shelves and cabinets crash along with their contents, multiplying the destruction. 

So, what, you ask, do the cords stand for? To me, they stand for faith. There is unusual strength in the flexibility of a cord. Braided cords stretch when pulled to their limits, then contract to deliver their stored energy safely without breaking. In fact, another word picture says that a cord with three strands is not easily broken. It has multiplied strength that is greater than the difficulties of life. The 3-stranded cord of faith has kept me from shattering during the pain of a broken marriage, family discord and my youngest brother Mike's death. 

Knowing that this corrupt world is temporary, trusting that my father God has a design for my life, and, experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit that keeps me secure until the final day are the three strands God provided to see me through life's bitterest blows. Somehow, that picture is enough to refresh my soul for another day.