But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
God promises we will be broken. Brokenness is essential to our purpose. God assigned Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites. The strategy was to place candles on earthen jars, and, on signal, to break them. The enemy soldiers turned on one another, thinking they were surrounded in the darkness. Without brokenness, there was no victory. Sometimes we may regard ourselves as fine crystal—and in God’s eyes we are of immense worth. But the treasure of His life is placed in the earthen vessel of our humanity. To the extent we are broken, we manifest the life of Jesus to all around us.
