We have this treasure

We have this treasure.
In jars of clay.

Pondering the verse.
Wondering the implications.
My life.  Now.

A jar of clay.
Nothing fancy.
Liable to brokenness.
And often the feeling.  Indeed.
Cracked, broken, stretched  . . .

The verse continues.
Hard pressed on every side; but not crushed.
Perplexed; but not in despair.
Persecuted; but not abandoned.
Struck down; but not destroyed.

And the reason.
Jesus.  The Lamb of God.
Our treasure.

Therefore, we do not lose heart.

And yet we do, at times.
Lose heart.
And so the encouragement.

Reminding.  Again and again.
Life is at work in us.  Grace unfolding. 
We have this treasure.
To live full even when the vessel weakens.
Even when hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down.

And the why.

Jesus.

With the resources of heaven available.
To come down from that cursed tree.
Instead, he stayed. 
He hung.

For love.

Desiring restored relationship.  Intimacy even.
A love story.
Making all others, beautiful as they are; pale.
In comparison.

Even watching a sweet proposal such as this.

Engaging the heart.  Soaring on joy. Just to watch the unfolding.
Of love.  The romance of the heart. 
And that with my man.  Meant to be.  Grateful always.

But this love affair with Jesus.  Something much more.
What my weary heart created for.

The Sacred Romance.
Only He filling our longings.
Wooing the heart with grace and truth.
Never-ending. 
Always the bride. 

We don't know God until we know Him as a lover.

Unfathomable.  Indescribable.
This love story.
This treasure in jars of clay.