Rev. Claudia & Dr. Timothy Emerick
Missionaries of the Cross
I Corinthians 1:18
Cracked Pots and Great Purpose
“God chose things despised by the world; things counted as nothing at all and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.” I Cor. 1:28; New Living Translation (NLT)
People are always comparing themselves with someone or something. We have been told by others that we are not important enough, or educated enough, or have enough money, or own a big enough house, or drive the right kind of car. We have been told that were too fat, too skinny, too short, or too tall. We have been told that we have too many hang-ups to be able to do anything significant in life. In other words, we look like trash to them, good for nothing.
But don’t you know that light shines brighter through cracked pots. Yes, we have many problems, but God is the great recycler. God takes what has been rejected by the world and called trash to do marvelous things. The Apostles were a group of poor and uneducated men. Yet in the hands of God, they became mighty witnesses of His power acting through them. God looks at people and sees their potential. When Jesus first saw Simon, he observed that he was rash, bad talkin, and a rough neck fisherman. However, in spite of all of Simon’s faults Jesus said to him, “follow me.” Jesus saw what Simon could become over time. Simon had to learn a lot, but he was willing to learn. Simon’s name meant, “a reed bending in the wind.” Simon’s emotions were up and down and got him into lots of problems. But Jesus over time renamed Simon calling him Peter, which means rock. Simon, now Peter changed into a stable and reliable person to be used by God. Subsequently, Peter strengthened the church and became a great Apostle. He didn’t start out as a great Apostle. Remember that it is not your beginning that counts but how you end up!
That which is impossible for men is not impossible for God. God can take our tired and broken-down lives and turn them around for His glory. Don’t look at your limitations but look how great God is. God see you as successful! Believe God against all odds and that you are tucked away in His promises. People may laugh at you, and you may not understand what is happening in your life but because you are in God’s hands nothing else matters. Remember, God is with you. God believes in you so why don’t you believe in Him. Look up to heaven and say God in spite of everything I believe in you and your power. Say to God this day I will see a new day dawning in my life!