The Glory of the Ordinary (by Kent Hughes)

"Paul's writings powerfully substantiate that man's ordinariness, even his weakness, provides ready ground for God's extraordinary power. In discussing his own apostolic ministry, Paul made this unforgettable observation: 'But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us' (2 Corinthians 4:7). Paul summarized the secret of his ministry by referring to the ancient custom of hiding priceless treasures in common earthen, clay pots beneath the earth. The 'treasure' was the gospel, and the 'jars of clay,' a penetrating metaphor for frail humanity. Thus the glorious gospel is committed to common, frail human beings - so that the immensity of the power may be seen as God's and not man's! Clearly, then, an awareness of one's weakness, one's ordinariness, can be an asset in the gospel ministry, for such an awareness may more easily depend upon the power of God...The men and women God has used have always lived with the reality that they are merely clay. When they saw Jesus Christ, they became unconscious of all they used to call their wisdom and strength. And rather than focus on their weakness, they made it their business to open wide for all his treasure. From this flowed the surpassing greatness of his power." - Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome, pp. 136-39 (emphasis mine)