1 Corinthians 4:7-11
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”
Good morning Craig and Erin, Happy Aloha Friday to you!
This morning I woke up with a horrible itch that was irritating. Grabbing the anti-itch lotion that Eulanda always kept close by was a lifesaver. But I found a surprise in the side table drawer; a manila folder. This was where Eulanda kept all her homemade cards and notes that she had made over the years. It was awesome that I found them today. Looking through them was exciting. My heart was just bursting with good thoughts of great memories. She had handmade cards of pressed flowers, Chinese cut-paper designs, and beautiful calligraphy cards Bible verses. They were all beautiful! As I was putting all the cards back into the drawer for safekeeping, I realized, all these things are great, but my Eulanda, she was truly my treasure.
I got up to get my coffee and it was still dark outside. The early mornings have always been my favorite part of the day. I took my coffee outside to walk around in the dark. It was a beautiful night and the air was cool. The half-moon brought a lot of light so I could walk around in the dark and see everything. It was amazing. And the stars! How glorious! The sun came up and cast its light on the Waianae Mountains in my backyard. I was in awe of all the spectacular beauty of God’s creation right here in my backyard. Thank you, Lord God Almighty! The beauty of the night lights! The stars and the moon! The awesomeness of the morning sun rising over the mountains in the east and casting its light onto the mountains in the west! These treasures, and many, many more, bring so much joy. They are perfect treasures. I can’t wait for you all to come and visit.
Of all the treasures I have been blessed with in my life, you, Craig and Erin, are top of the list. I also have the treasure of great memories and the life I shared with my precious Eulanda; God’s amazing paradise here in Hawaii; and my country home in all its beauty. But the only treasure that truly defines me and gives me purpose and meaning in life, is my Lord Jesus Christ. Second Corinthians 4:7 speaks of having treasures in jars of clay. This brings images to mind of the Old Testament scrolls that were stored in jars of clay to protect and preserve them from the elements. In the same way, I, your daddy, this old body of mine, is a jar of clay that has the life-giving and the life persevering gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel is meant to be shared because it is such a glorious treasure. Without Jesus in my life, your daddy is nothing! He and only He has given me the free gift of salvation when I repented of my many horrible sins. I now have this new amazing life, grounded in Jesus Christ, who is the most important treasure of all. Jesus was persecuted and suffered greatly in his condescension from glory to earth. How much more ought I and those of us who are His followers, suffer like Him. In the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, Jesus said in his Sermon of the Mount, “Blessed are those who suffer…, who mourn…, who are persecuted for my namesake.” This is the true Gospel of Light that shines brightly against the backdrop of this cruel, dark, and wicked evil world: Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest. What a mighty, great treasure He is!
Craig and Erin, I love you both, so very much! I pray you will find and follow Jesus in your life, because, in Him, you will find your greatest treasure!