The value is what's inside...

I remember when I was in junior high school we had the chance to make clay bowls in art class. We started out with a hard lump of clay that you couldn't even bend or put a thumb print in. You had to add water and work with it until it became pliable. Once the clay would begin to bend to your touch, you would throw it on a pottery wheel that would begin to spin it around in circles. By adding pressure and water you would eventually be able to do things like make the clay rise to unimaginable heights! You could hollow out the inside, shape it and form it into something beautiful.

Once the clay is formed in the desired manner - you put it in the fire to toughen it up. The fire lets the clay hold its shape. Once it's fired, you can add a glaze to make it shiny.

Even with that, it's still a fragile piece of clay.

My bowl leaked. But it didn't keep me from pouring water into it... and as the water slowly leaked out... I would add more water. I was proud of it... it was mine.

Christians are a lot like that piece of clay. We have been hardened by the world into this lifeless lump of clay. We aren't sure what we could be, so we try to blend in with all the other lumps of clay. But God steps in and he adds living water...

37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) John 7:37-40 New Living Translation

God begins to shape us and mold us. Not in any random form... but into a form that looks like Jesus.

4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.  Romans 6:4-6 New Living Translation

God toughens us up by allowing us to be put into situations where we can be sure that we are going to hold on to the form as He has shaped us.

2 Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 New Living Translation

Of course, when God makes something, it's perfect. But through our own strong willed nature, sometimes we become a cracked vessel. But, as long as we stay connected to God, he will continue to pour Himself into us so we can accomplish His will in our lives.

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 New Living Translation

Let's spend the rest of the week struggling to stay connected to God so we can be vessels of honor that He can use as He see's fit!

 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7 New Living Translation