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Cracked Pot
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on opposite
ends 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 the 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.
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We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing
power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)
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webmaster@1faith.zzn.com
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