VALUED: Earthen Vessels, Eternal Treasure

What determines your worth? In a world that judges us by our outward "vessel," God looks at the treasure inside. Drawing from a powerful encounter with a waitress in Jamaica, this blog explores 2 Corinthians 4 and the beautiful reality that we are "fragile clay jars" holding an eternal light. Discover why your value isn't based on your works, but on the incredible price Jesus paid to call you His own.

C. Atkinson

4/18/20242 min read

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

My heart is singing today: “How great is our God! How great is His name! He’s the greatest one, forever the same! He rolled back the waters from the mighty Red Sea. He said, ‘I’ll lead you, put your trust in me!’”

Oh, praise God! It is so sweet to trust in Jesus and take Him at His Word. I truly hope you are having a joyful and productive week. Despite the crossroads and challenges we all face, we can rest assured that the joy of the Lord is our strength. Let’s continue to encourage one another and win souls for the Kingdom!

A Connection in Negril

It is a privilege to be called, chosen, and loved by the Lord. Today, I want to remind you of how important, necessary, and VALUED you are. Yes, you! This value doesn't come from anything we have done, but because God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son for us.

Recently, while on a mission trip in Negril, Jamaica, a sister and I encountered a young waitress at a restaurant. From the moment we walked in, her countenance was radiant. Her soul seemed to beam through her smile, and she possessed an "excellent spirit." I couldn't help but tell her, “You have a beautiful soul.”

She eventually asked which church we attended because she discerned that we were Apostolic believers. Right there, over our meal, we all bore witness to the "great treasure"—the Spirit of God—within us. We spoke more about the Lord than the delicious food we ate! She opened up about her personal struggles, but the light of God in her was overpowering the darkness. We realized that day that it wasn't about us being "special"; it was about the light of God shining through our earthen vessels.

The Veil is Removed

Jesus, the glory of the New Covenant, tore the veil to give us access to His presence. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 tells us that whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away, and we are changed into His glorious image.

We will never truly know how VALUED we are until we understand the message of the Cross. I pray for a radical revelation for all of us—a deeper understanding that comes only from spending time in His Word and seeking His will. When we know we are valued, we gain a new confidence in prayer and worship. We are no longer far off; we have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

The Worth of the Vessel

The "god of this world" (Satan) tries to blind people so they cannot see the light of the Good News (2 Cor 4:4). But as believers, we carry that light into the world to fulfill the Great Commission.

You are valued because of what you cost. You were bought with a price. You have been chosen for adoption into God's family (Ephesians 1:5). We may be fragile clay jars—breakable and imperfect—but we contain an excellent power. Let that encourage you today: you are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Walk in your purpose today, knowing exactly who you are in Christ Jesus: VALUED.