I am just a man. Like you, I'm a fallible human being created in the image of an all-powerful King. I'm not powerful enough to manipulate another to give or love or serve. But the King I follow is. He speaks to the hearts of men and women. He touches hearts and calls people to love, serve, give, and ultimately believe Him. That's His job, and He does all of this to display His power and glory.
I, like you, am a broken vessel of this great King. We all are earthen vessels created to make His power known. The Apostle Paul writes, "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" (2 Corinthians 4:7-9).
I shared a need and He moved you to give and pray. I showed you my cracked jar of clay and you showed me yours. The great King took some of the contents of your jar and poured it into mine.
One particular jar of clay called me yesterday saying, "I wish I could give but it's gonna' be a stretch for us to make it to Friday. I just don't have the money."
"No problem," I encouraged him. "I understand, brother. If God wants the cafe to continue on, He will provide."
That person stopped by my house later last night after our conversation. He handed me a folded wad of jacks saying, "Here's a hundred dollars I don't have to give."
Another jar of clay stopped by the cafe yesterday afternoon. He saw the e-mail and said to himself (Tim needs help). So he came by to drop off a $100 check.
I got this e-mail from another jar of clay yesterday:
Hey buddy,
This is crazy because we are in no spot to give, but I feel led. What ever you come up with short, let me know and we will cover it. Just let me know tomorrow. Thanks dude.
See you
I received this e-mail from a female jar of clay:
Hi Tim
As I am typing this email I am squished into a small conference table less than half the size of my work desk. The roof of our building is leaking right over my cubicle and I came in this morning to find three garbage cans full of water – what wonderful conditions to work in. But I am thankful to God that I have a job and a great boss.
Your email has struck a chord with my heart because I know that you too enjoy where you work and who you work for. I’d like to write a check for $100 to help with your rent situation.
And this e-mail from a jar of clay:
Tim,
I left a check in the donation box tonight at the cafe.
And yet two more jars of clay sent me:
Hi Tim,
I'll give 100. Do you need it tonight?
Tim:
Put us down for $100. How do you need me to get it to you?
The story of more earthen vessels pouring into the cafe ministry continue today. My NFL ring tone has filled my office with song all morning long. To the point that some of these clay pots want to pour out their contents into next months rent. Together, we are witnessing men and women making sacrifices for their neighbors in need. These people are going without this month so that the young people and families in Medina can go with.
All the glory goes to God for taking a bakers dozen of clay jars and using them to demonstrate His power to provide. Are you a little cracked clay jar waiting to be poured out?