I am an earthen vessel, He gives treasures

Whenever I pray and share online with the Kingdom editorial team scattered across the United States and Central Asia, I hear how co-workers are facing the heavy pressures of their bodies, families, churches, mission fields, or workplaces, but are still driven by the blazing power of God. With a sense of cultural missionary mission, racing against time, and working hard on planning, writing, interviewing, inviting manuscripts, reviewing, polishing, proofreading, and illustrating... Chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians will come to mind. The verbal image presented in verse 7 – “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that this great power comes from God and not from us.”

I imagined: tongues of fire flickering and stretching, covering the table, bed and stove in the small room with a faint yellow luster. And the earthenware, which was originally an inconspicuous lighting fixture for civilians, actually reflects a simple beauty.

The "earth vessel" itself is just an empty shell. It needs to be filled with oil, inserted into the core, and ignited before it can function. It can be seen that the inner "treasure" (fuel or energy) is definitely more important than the shape or material of the container. For the members of the Kingdom of God team, including myself, if our lives are as ordinary and limited as earthenware vessels, if we want to continue to shine and contribute and share issue after issue as it has in the past ten years or so, we can only rely on the "treasure" in heaven ( God's power), so that it will not be like the wick that is not soaked in the lamp oil, which instantly disappears into ashes, wasting life in vain and accomplishing nothing.

Co-workers often admit that they are weak and incompetent, just like earthenware, which is full of flaws and spots. However, when the treasure living in us ignites the fire full of forward-looking power, breakthrough power, challenging power, practical power, knowledge power, motivation power, and action power, readers will be attracted by the warm and pleasant flame, Rather than just focusing on the crudeness of the pottery itself.

If many fragile earthenware vessels are placed in the same place, they will inevitably get knocked, cracked, and have missing ears. However, since the founding of "Kingdom of God" magazine, we, the "earthen vessels" that light the fire of life, cannot completely avoid collision and damage to each other. However, in the amazing grace of Heavenly Father, we are still as close as a family and are helpful. There are feelings that reflect each other and become a great light, illuminating wherever the words on paper and online reach.

Absolutely true! – “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that this great power comes from God and not from us.”