It is well into summer and on my patio there is an assortment of blooming plants – all of them glorious and colorful with the blooms tumbling over the sides of their pots. The blooms are in stark contrast to the pots they live in. The containers of the healthiest plants are very plain – even drab. They are simple clay pots, many of them old and worn. With years of use, the pots have become soiled and chipped but the flowers planted in them each successive year seem to thrive even more.

There have been years when I’ve tried planting my flowers in decorative planters. I have found elegantly designed ceramic and glass containers in which to start my flower garden. However, those years my flowers turned out to be less than spectacular. Not receiving the aeration and drainage they required, the plants struggled. Still, it didn’t really matter because the pots were beautiful to look at. Visitors admired the attractive design of the containers and didn’t notice the puny blooms within.

Sharing the gospel can be compared to my efforts at container gardening. Simple, fragile clay pots produce the best flowers. A simple, humble believer is the best container for the sharing of the truth of the gospel. The message of Jesus Christ is glorious in itself. It is eternal. It is salvation. It is life changing. Believers certainly don’t have to dress up the message. God doesn’t need beautiful containers, fancy dress and practiced speeches to sell His message of life. Simple, heart felt truth produces glorious results. He uses normal people like you and me. Many times, we try to clean up the vessel. All this does is to detract from the all important message. If I am focusing on myself the listener will also focus on me and the message will be puny. As much as I would like to hide the soiled and chipped person that I am without Jesus; that is my testimony. It is in that person that the seed of the gospel was planted, took hold and began to grow. It is in that sad life that a miracle has bloomed.

Don’t misunderstand. I believe that beautiful churches, lovely music, great speakers have their place in worship and in teaching. Many have made a decision to receive Christ in just such a setting. But, the individual believer who is humble and truthful delivers the message best. Share your own simple story, truthfully and lovingly. The resulting blooms may be far more glorious than any stained glass window.


2 Corinthians 4:7

What can you do?

Names of God Ebook Almighty God. The Creator of heaven and earth. Our God is given names in Scripture that describe the characteristics of His personality.