But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

As I sat behind the pottery wheel forming my very own jar of clay, I began to reflect on this Scripture. We are referenced in this verse as “jars of clay”. Like clay, we are easily moldable, soft and vulnerable at times. Other times we are hardened yet still easily breakable just like the finished jar of clay. It doesn’t matter how much “fire” we go through to harden us, without that treasure inside of us, we are just a temporary body, a mere jar of clay.

I pressed my thumb firmly in the center of the clay and watched it open. I loved watching my jar beginning to take form. I didn’t know what I was creating or what I was doing, but somehow I ended up with something to place in the kiln.

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. (Jeremiah 1:5)

My little jar was nothing glamorous, but that’s probably because I didn’t really have a purpose or plan for my creation; I was just having fun experimenting. I made my jar tall and thin, then short and wide. I folded it in on itself countless times just to start the process all over again. I eventually had to get a fresh clump to start all over with. But that was ok with me because I didn’t really have an end goal.

God created each and every one of us with intention and purpose. Before He even formed us, He knew exactly what His plans were for us. He knew exactly how He wanted us to look, what our gifts would be, and what areas we would need Him the most.

The greatest of artists leave their mark inside of their artwork. You know it’s their’s without much of a second thought. Pablo Picasso, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Vincent Van Gogh—we all know their work because they stand out from one another with their own unique flair. I’ve come to realize God the potter is no different. He puts Jesus inside of us so we look more like Him, standing out from the rest. It’s He who is the treasure.