My truck is much more valuable than it looks.
It's a 2001 Ford F-150. Navy color but severely faded. The windshield has a big crack from top to bottom right down the middle, along with more than a few chips in it. The rear cab windows don't work. The light switch falls off. The right windshield wiper is misaligned. The brake rotors are warped. It leaks oil. The window tinting is wrinkling up on itself. The interior driver's seat is ripped open. It's got 270,000 miles.
But it's also got a rebuilt engine, good tires, it runs powerfully, and today it passed state inspection. Oh, and it's paid for.
I love my truck! It's truly a treasure and I hope it runs for a long time. I'd hate for it to get in an accident or be stolen, because the insured value of the truck is quite low and could never replace its value to me.
The apostle Paul, who didn't get to drive a Ford F-150, once wrote, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body" (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).
"This treasure" is the mercy of God that saves us, and sets us apart to be on mission and share Jesus with people.
In Paul's life, that looks like my truck. He was getting beat up. Life was rough. People ripped into him. He had little street value. Ever feel like that? Ever work so hard on a project, on a relationship, on self-improvement and then it goes to trash?
Look for the treasure. God is getting your attention. He wants you to be like Jesus who suffered, died and rose. He wants you to live in resurrection power, but there is no resurrection without crucifixion. No crown without cross.
And, the treasure is in it. The treasure is there. "We have …" It's not a hope, not a possibility. We have this treasure of God's mercy.
Your faith, your life and your spiritual missions are much more valuable than they may look.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, your life is revealed in me through my dying to sin, and rising in repentance to the power of your resurrection. It's all from you and for you. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Ponder each phrase of 2 Corinthians 4:7-10. Then ask yourself how it leads you to pray the PRAY acronym. Take your time with this. Ask for new insight, understanding and faith.
- Praise (tell God what you appreciate about him)
- Repent (tell God about your sins, trust in his promises of forgiveness)
- Ask (go ahead, think big, or focus on a small detail, God wants to hear it all)
- Yield (talk to God about the next step after you say "Amen," how you want faith to lead the way, how you are willing to be part of his answer and see it develop for your good)
Daron Lindemann
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