But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. – 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)
While I’m not a diehard football fan, I can’t resist good metaphors when I see them.
If I were the creator of a brand-new football that was so aerodynamically superior to a traditional football that it would fly farther and straighter than any other, who would I sign to endorse and demonstrate it: Peyton Manning or some yahoo off the street who’s never in his life thrown a football?
Before you say Peyton Manning, consider this. Peyton is one of the most recognized athletes in the history of football. We all expect Peyton to launch a rocket, no matter what football he throws. Throwing a perfect pass 80 yards down field would be nothing all that special.
However, take Joe Schmoe (whose closest chance for playing quarterback was in a pickup game of street football), give him the new aerodynamic pigskin and watch him throw an 80 yard bomb. All of a sudden, people everywhere will sit up and take notice.
Something awesome is all the more evident in its glory when it gets handled by someone without anything all that amazing to bring to the field. The “delivery boy” does a superior job when he can’t possibly take the credit for having made it happen.
As much as it offends our human ego, this is why God chooses to place His glory in “jars of clay”. When we surrender to our Lord and trust Him to do His work in us, the world sees amazing things happen for which we can’t possibly take credit.
Don’t expect God to change the way He coaches football anytime soon. Just let the Coach give you the ball, trust the plays He calls, and let it fly.