“I feel like a cracked pot,” my roommate said through tears as she recounted a painful story. I sat on the floor beside her bed at a loss of how to respond.
She knew she’d been created by God for a purpose, but she felt damaged. Unusable. And just plain sad. The title of a book, which I never actually read, popped into my head, and I offered it weakly.
“Well, God uses cracked pots.”
The truth is, we’re all cracked pots.
It’s true that we’ve been created – crafted by God – with care and for a purpose. We were formed to be filled with fellowship with Him.
But sins committed by us and against us have cracked what God created. Fellowship with Him leaked out, and it doesn’t feel good or right.
We feel useless.
We’ve tried to fill up with corrosive contents we were never designed to hold. Contents that promised to make us useful. Sometimes we’ve tried to fill up with willful rebellion. More often, we’ve tried to fill up with lots of good efforts – doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, for the right reasons, in front of the right people – and pride corrodes from the inside out.
Instead of filling us, they’ve weakened the vessel God created and filled it with darkness.
We’re set on a shelf — sometimes by others, sometimes by ourselves. We wobble when the shelf is knocked and teeter on the edge knowing we’re one bump away from shattering.
But God uses cracked pots.
He shines the light of His holiness on that dusty shelf and sees our flaws and fractures. We have broken what He designed. We turn, red-faced, towards the Potter and apologize for the corrosion we’ve invited. We bear all the evidence of use and abuse, and we present to Him our fractured lives and darkness. It’s all we’ve got to offer Him.
He reached toward us and chose the broken pottery. He bought the chipped and leaky earthen ware. He paid dearly for damaged jars of clay.
When we’re drained of all the corrosive self-effort, when all the corrupting rebellion has leaked through our cracks, we’re finally empty and dry.
And we’re finally ready to hold what we were designed for: The Light of Christ.
The God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
And do you know what He does with cracked pots?
He makes them useful.
Though His light reveals the cracks, it also replaces the darkness. It streams through the gaping holes. Then He sets us on a lampstand called influence and He shines through our broken places to give His light to everyone around.
That is why Peter, a betrayer, can declare that we are God’s special possession. People who have been called out of the darkness and into the light.
That is why Paul, the persecutor, can boast all the more gladly in his weaknesses.
And that is why we, cracked as we are, can let the Light of Christ shine before others so they can praise the God who designed and redeemed cracked pots.
Leave a Comment
Priscilla says
Shauna, You are definitely a very “useful” and “influential” cracked pot whom God has blessed with a wonderful gift of insight and writing. Keep up the good work!
Shauna says
Thanks, Priscilla, for your encouragement. So thankful for the way He uses us in spite of (or perhaps BECAUSE of!) our flaws.
Shelli Littleton says
Shauna, this is beautiful! Cracked pot. How sweet. Just sweetness. As much as I often wish I didn’t have the cracks, I wouldn’t be who I am today and God wouldn’t be using me in the way … I just love this visualization. Mostly because we grew up using that in such a negative way … 🙂
Blessed by you today!
Shauna says
I agree, Shelli. If I had turned out to be the perfect woman/wife/mom I had planned to be 🙂 I don’t think I’d have many friends. I also wouldn’t know my desperate need for Jesus.
Penny says
I have found that each time I share what I have learned from the experiences that made me crack, those sharp, painful cracked edges become a little smoother. God heals my hurt when I comfort others. I don’t know how he does it, but I know it works. Soon those cracked places will be smooth portals for his light to shine through, and the pain will be a memory.
Shauna says
“Smooth portals of light…” Good stuff! Not only can He shine through, He can smooth out the jagged edges. Thanks for that reminder, Penny.
Linda says
Beautiful! Thank you for reminding me that God uses cracked pots.
Shauna says
You’re welcome, Linda. Thanks for reading and encouraging!
Migjel says
Is true , beautiful words God shines every day
Kat says
I have a children’s story where a cracked pot becomes transformed into a beautiful piñata, broken in joy on Christmas Eve!
Merry Christmas!
Shauna says
That sounds like one I’d like to read, Kat!
Sara says
I had not thought about the “corrosive” aspects of my pride and self sufficiency, but can definitely see them as that. Thank you for yet another reason to drain this pot of me so I can be filled with Him.
Shauna says
Yes, Sara. Pride and self-sufficiency kept me from understanding my daily need for Jesus.
Susan Gruener says
Such a good reminder! God’s light shines right out through our cracked places to others!
Let your light shine – and we will light up this whole dark world!
Merry Christmas!
Shauna says
“We will light up this whole dark world!”…and our Father in Heaven will receive the praise! Thanks, Susan.
Kelly says
I think I may need to be broken still. Having a hard time seeing me in this
Shauna says
I appreciate your honesty, Kelly. I saw it best in myself after a long period of “trying really hard to perfectly please God” and really messing it up. The gospel became extremely good news when I discovered Jesus has not merely forgiven my mess-ups, He’s also given me his perfect record, and therefore I am pleasing to God. That relief and approval propels me toward Him out of love for Him.
Carrie says
Beautiful words from a beautiful friend.
Shauna Letellier says
Thanks, Friend.
Pat says
This describes my life so perfectly, especially after my meltdown I had today. What an encouragement this has been. Thank you!
Anne Marie says
Love this! Especially the idea of God’s light shining onto and through our cracked places that others might be encouraged.
Shauna Letellier says
Thanks, Anne Marie. Glad you were encouraged.
Bonny says
Let’s go further in understanding. I was a cracked pot that needed to be saved. The Holy Ghost saw my broken Spirit and contrite heart and came and filled me when I called on Jesus. “Jesus save me!”
His light poured in and filled the cracks in me. He made me a New Creature ! Old things passed away and all things became new and all things are of God! 2 Co 5:17.
But I still live in flesh. My flesh was made holy at salvation but it is still frail flesh subject to sickness and aging.
When Apostle Paul said he takes pleasure in his infirmities he means that his soul rejoices no matter what God allows him to suffer!
My whole vessel belongs to God!
It’s not cracked in Gods eyes!
I’m a perfect pot, holy, filled with light and radiating the light to a dark and dying world!
My soul rejoices in the God of my salvation!
Shauna Letellier says
Mine too, Bonnie. Thanks for helping us think deeper.
Beth Williams says
Shauna,
I’m eternally grateful that God uses cracked pots. I know I’m not perfect by any means and have been cracked by the mere living on this broken Earth! God can take this cracked pot and make it something beautiful to let His perfect light shine through for all the world to see!
Your writing is absolutely beautiful and I am thankful that you follow God’s leading to write for us!
Blessings and Merry Christmas!
Shauna Letellier says
Thanks for your encouragement for us, Beth.
Ifeoma Samuel says
I am truly happy about this post. The light will surely pierce through every darkness. Bless the lord.
http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com/
Shauna Letellier says
It surely will, Ifeoma.
Mary says
IVe been a Christian a long time but this last year God is breaking me in so many ways. I know I’m filled with cracks but my struggle is that I don’t feel God shining through at all. I just feel pain and despair. My prayer is that at some point I will be able to see God’s light shining through me to bless someone else. But right now I only feel the despair over all the breaking that’s happening in my life. It’s so overwhelming. Has anyone felt like this? Mary
Shauna Letellier says
I certainly have, Mary. To be honest, I didn’t feel His light shining through during those rugged seasons either. It is overwhelming. And painful. Jesus sees, He knows, He cares and He is always at work (John 5:17) even when we cannot see or understand His ways. He does not waste your pain. I have no doubt He will use your pain to bless someone else. Praying for you today, Friend.
Janet says
The song I love singing–says all that many here have said:
‘He Didn’t Throw the Clay Away’!
Shauna Letellier says
I have not heard that one, Janet. Thanks for sharing it.