Psalm 126

A water-bearer in India had two large pots, both hung on the ends of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it 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 house, the cracked pot always arrived half full.

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. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts.’

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 planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.’

So, three things from this picture

We are all on a journey. This journey is both internal and external.  Things are happening inside (new emotions, learnings, discoveries) and outside (people getting older, births, deaths, pandemics, racial and political tensions, global warming). In the picture, something is happening to the water in the pot and the pot is moving. Throughout the Bible, there is always a movement of God’s people (Psalm 126). 

We all have our flaws. We all have our quirks and unique features – some a known to us, and some unknown.  We are all cracked pots.  The uniqueness makes us well equipped for the journey. These quirks area part of the treasure that God has put it us.  As we are reminded, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Cor. 4:7-12)

We are all called to bring beauty and wholeness into the lives of others. The farmer did not discard the pot and water the plants himself but allowed the pot to continue the work of brining beauty to others. This is love, this is our work – to be open to God and allow God to bring forth beauty to others out of our lives. 

PRAYER: Lord here I am, make my life a testimony of what you do in me. Make me faithful in my smallness so that when they see me, they see you. May your light shine to others through my weaknesses. For your strength is perfected in my weakness.  For when I am weak, then you are strong.

PROMPT: What are the unique gifts that cause you to say, “the Lord has done great things and we are filled with joy”?