I surrender

"But 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

     We have a treasure!  The treasure Paul is talking about is the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)  It is the power of the Holy Spirit to do in us and through us what we are not able to do on our own.  Imagine the possibilities! But beware  -- this power is given for His purposes.  When we begin to transfer the credit for our accomplishments from Him to us, the power begins to fade from our view and from our grasp.  We wonder why we are unable to accomplish our goals.  We get writer's block, we get fearful, we become paralyzed and have to put our dreams on hold because we are running inside the hamster wheel to nowhere. 

     The harsh reality is that it is so easy for us to forget where we came from because we are desperately trying to get where we think we are going.  But we are journeying alone -- we have let go of the Potter's hand thinking that we ourselves have the power to reach our destination.  We are strong.  We are capable.  We are talented.  We can do this.  Or can we? 

     I liken this period of forgetfulness to the Israelites' 40 years of desert wanderings.  They forgot "their first love."  If they, who had a pillar of cloud by day and by night a pillar of fire, could forget; how much easier for you and I?  The good news here is that all we need do is to turn back and seek His face, acknowledging to our God that He is the Potter and we are the clay.  It's as easy as reaching for His hand and saying, "I surrender."