All us crack-pots!!!

[Guest guest]

cracked pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole

which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and

while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of

water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house,

the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on

daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in

his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its

accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor

cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was

able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

 

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to

the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want

to apologize to you.Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load

because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to

your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work,

and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said. The water

bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said,

"As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful

flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked

pot took notice of

the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and

this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad

because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the

bearer for its failure.

 

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on

your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I

have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted

flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back

from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to

pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you

being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his

house."

 

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. But if we

will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In

God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. So as we seek ways to minister

together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't

be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage

of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.

 

Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that

"In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes".