JOSHUA TIME 484

THE CRACKED POT> > A Water Bearer in India had two large pots; each hung on each end of a> pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in> it, and 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> master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.> > For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only> one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the> perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for> which it was made. But 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 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."> > "Why?" asked the bearer. " What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able,> for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this> crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your> master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work,> and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.> > The Water Bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his> compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to> notice the beautiful flowers along the path."> > Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the> sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this> cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because> it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the> bearer for its failure.> > The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only> on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's> because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.> I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we> walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have> been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table.> Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to> grace his house."> > Each of us has our own unique flaws; we're all cracked pots, but if we> will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table.> In God's economy, nothing goes to waste.> > So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the> tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws.> Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too,> can be the cause of beauty in His pathway. Go out boldly, knowing that> in OUR weakness we find HIS strength, and that "In Him every one of> God's promises is a YES.">