On our recent trip we stayed in a hotel that is being renovated. The room pictures on the booking site were lovely and modern. None of that prepared us for the outside! The entire structure is under re-construction. There were pods of construction materials and fencing everywhere. The main entry was dismal looking, the breakfast held in two little rooms while everything else is under construction. There was no signage with the name of the hotel I booked; we weren’t even sure we were at the correct place except that it was where it was supposed to be – right between the In-N-Out! and Olive Garden. (Funny how I always manage to book hotels close to an In-N-Out!)
Our room, however, once we got to it was exactly as pictured. Modern cabinets, large screen television, outlets everywhere to charge at least ten electronic devices without unplugging anything else. The bathroom was new, there was a small kitchenette and reading lights on each side of the bed. It was a great room!
Which made me think that what is important is not the exterior but the interior. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” [2 Cor 4:7-8 NKJV]
I like the way some of the translations use “clay pots” for “earthen vessels.” When Christ comes to live in us by the power of His Holy Spirit upon our confession of faith and surrender of our lives, we are truly beautiful. He makes our interior new and we now walk in newness of life. This lovely new interior is housed in our old clay pot. Some of our pots have been cracked and damaged, some are growing old and crumbling, some have been kicked around and abused. But it doesn’t matter the exterior because what is inside shines like the Son of God.
And one day, what is inside, will be revealed for all to see. And a new vessel, an eternal, glorious vessel like unto the Son of the Living God, will be given us. Can’t wait! Amen.
