Jane Coefield

Jane's Journey

A couple of years ago, Jane invited my family and I over to her home for dinner. And, the whole night was really just a night of storytelling. She told me stories about her son and daughter so that I felt like I knew them long before I did. She told me about her son and people that he’d won to Christ, and she told me about her daughter and how she’d always wanted a big family to love and how the Lord had blessed her with one. She told me about her grandkids. She would talk about each one, and then say before moving to the next, “She’s such a sweetheart.” My oldest daughter was around five at the time. When Gracie learned that “Miss Jane” had lived in Africa, she pretty much thought she was a superhero. Jane took her around and showed her mementoes and keepsakes that she had from each of the places that she’d served. And, she began to walk me through her journey. One day, B.F. came home, and Jane was under the conviction of the Lord. She had seen on TV about the profound need that was present in India and felt like in that moment that the Lord would have she and her husband move to a country they’d never visited before. And so, they went. They began a journey that would lead them to share the love of Jesus across three continents, 25 years of which was abroad in India, Indonesia, and Tanzania. Jane’s journey was a remarkable one, but the truth is that no matter where she went, no matter what continent she was on; she was always a sojourner living in a strange land, even when she was here in Cleburne County. But now, her journey has taken her home at last. It’s this journey that Paul has in mind when he writes . It’s this journey through weakness and sickness and imperfection to ultimate victory.

Jane’s journey was a remarkable one, but the truth is that no matter where she went, no matter what continent she was on; she was always a sojourner living in a strange land, even when she was here in Cleburne County. But now, her journey has taken her home at last.

English Standard Version Chapter 4

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Common and Fragile

So, he says, we have this of immeasurable value in these clay jars. We’re carrying around these diamonds in tiny, cardboard boxes. For Paul, comparing himself, and in fact all Christians, to ‘jars of clay’ is not a particularly flattering comparison. First of all, clay jars were cheap. This was a lowly comparison. This wasn’t exactly fine china that he was comparing himself too. When we excavate ruins today, much of what we find are old clay shards that are lying around because everyone had them. Every peasant could afford or at least make themselves some clay jars. So, Paul is, in essence saying, I’m no better than any other messenger or any other container of this treasure. Every messenger, every container of the gospel is equally unworthy of the magnificent treasure that it contains.

Not only do ‘jars of clay’ show lowliness, but they also show how fragile Paul is. Clay jars were very prone to get cracks or to break, and this is at the forefront of Paul’s mind here. He is very much saying that he is always cracking, always leaking, always coming apart. He seems to always need to be replaced.

Not only do ‘jars of clay’ show lowliness, but they also show how fragile Paul is. Clay jars were very prone to get cracks or to break, and this is at the forefront of Paul’s mind here. He is very much saying that he is always cracking, always leaking, always coming apart. He seems to always need to be replaced.

Cracked Jars Showcase God’s Power

“to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” But, there’s a powerful why behind all of this that Paul wants them to see. There’s a reason that God put his treasure in clay pots. There’s a reason that we carry this diamond in a cardboard box. He says in verse one that ‘we have this in ‘jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.’ That is, the weakness of the container showcases power of the Treasure. Paul is afflicted, but Paul is not crushed! Why? Because God is with him, and God’s power surpasses all these things. Paul is perplexed and Paul is stressed, but Paul is not overcome. How is Paul not overcome? How is Paul able to keep on going? How is Paul so strong? Paul isn’t strong at all! It is the surpassing power of God holding him together! Paul is being persecuted, Paul is being struck down, but he is not forsaken and he will not be destroyed! How can we be so sure? How can we know? Because the surpassing power of God is being made apparent through this cracking pot named Paul who would come apart were not for the surpassing power of God! You see, it’s not the pot keeping the Treasure safe; it’s the Treasure that’s holding the pot together.

I can’t think of a better way to describe Jane Coefield. She would be the first to admit to you that she was an imperfect person, an imperfect wife, mother, and messenger. But, one of the most remarkable truths about God is his willingness to use such broken people for such important work, his willingness to use clay pots to hold the Treasure that is more valuable than every other treasure combined. You have to wonder how many times Jane felt like she was unraveling as she lived in third world countries and served our Lord so far from her family. She must’ve felt like she was unraveling when B.F.’s brain tumor was discovered, and we know the toll that dementia was taking in her final days. But, through it all, the Treasure that she contained, the Spirit that indwelt her, the very message that she shared was holding her together. And today, at this very moment she is enjoying her reward to its fullest, not because she was great, but because her Treasure was great.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Do Not Lose Heart

“So we do not lose heart” Paul says: The weight of our afflictions is a matter of perspective. So, I want to make Paul’s point my point. “Do not lose heart.” Today is difficult. It’s a day in which your heart is pierced and stomach is knotted. But, don’t lose heart. This momentary affliction feels heavy but is actually light. How can such a seemingly impossible burden be considered light? This pain is ‘momentary’ and ‘transient’ but the glory that Jane has received is eternal. It’s forever. He’s blessed FOREVER! The glory available in Christ does not end. In fact, the as heavy as this burden has been for you as you’ve cared for and ministered to your mom, the glory to be received for your kindness will one day make it seem light. Dementia is devastating. Death is heartbreaking. But, they are small in comparison to the reward Jane has! They are small in comparison to the crown of unfading glory that she has now received!