Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

- 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts . . .

Only God can pierce the darkness with light, where light was not before. Only God can bring the bright, shining light of the knowledge of His glory to shine out of the cold darkness that beforehand filled this clay jar. What was once good for nothing but to sit in the corner, collecting dust, has become a vessel to display the beauty, the light, the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God!

May I be a light-filled clay jar today.

Have a good Sunday, everyone!