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 in his master's
house. Of course, the perfect pot was
proud of its accomplishments, perfect to
the end for which it was made.

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."
"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 it's 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 are
all cracked pots. But if we will allow it,
the Lord will use our flaws to grace His
Father's table. In God's great 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.

Home ~ ~ ~ Back~ ~ ~ Next
God's Page ~ ~ ~ God's Word

Email: God's Page