When our Hearts Shine

For God, who made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

2 Corinthians 4: 6, 7

I have a treasure, and so does every other person who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Paul addresses this treasure in 2 Corinthians. He calls it God’s light! He further explains that it’s the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Have you ever noticed the radiance in the face of believers? Non-believers can see it but they have no idea what it is. I had the privilege of serving with a small team teaching on aspects of Texas culture in public schools in formerly Eastern Germany. We were building relationships for inviting students to a community gathering later that week. While the last team member spoke to the class, the teacher leaned over to me and asked, “What am I seeing? Each of the team member’s face is shining? Why is that?” I whispered, “Jesus Christ lives in each of our hearts, and you’re seeing the Holy Spirit’s presence within us.”

Paul addresses this same thing in 2 Corinthians also calling it the glory of God in the face of Christ. I’m awed by such an incredible treasure—knowledge of God’s glory found in our relationship with Christ. There’s a qualification, though. Paul explains the limitation of our bodies by comparing our frailness to easily broken clay jars. When I think about all the limitations I personally bring to stewarding this treasure, I wonder why God would put something so magnificent into such a fallible container. Fortunately, Paul answers this as he continues to write we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. God is glorified when I trust Him to provide the power for living the Christian life. He’s glorified even more when I acknowledge to others that it’s His power, not my own, that I’ve drawn upon. The glory of God found in Jesus Christ is my treasure. If you know Christ as your Savior as well as your Lord, rejoice that it’s also yours. If you do not know Christ as your Savior, then ask Him to be, and you too can have this incredible treasure!

Linda L.