December 14th, 2022
VESSELS
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8 (ESV)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
It was St. Augustine, who said “God gives where he finds empty hands” and C. S. Lewis who reminds us that “God gives his gifts where he finds the vessel empty enough to receive them,” for, “a man whose hands are full of parcels cannot receive a gift.”
I love how both scripture verses provide beautiful visuals for us as they relate to our relationship with God. God created us, formed us, made us; like a potter crafts beautiful pieces from clay. We are all unique creations and are perfectly what God designed us to be. None of us are mistakes or imperfect; we were designed by God, for God’s purposes and to walk with God.
Often times, our choices in life tend to fill us with things that clutter our vessel. The more we fill our vessel with our own stuff, God’s stuff tends to flow out because we overfill our vessel selfishly. It is through our confession of sin, the removing of clutter that provides space for God to fill us with goodness. When we are filled with God’s goodness our overflowing seeps out and God uses that to fill others around us. We are then being the literal hands and feet of Jesus in the world. I love David’s words in Psalm 23:5-6, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and mercy/love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Prayer~ God of all creation, help me to declutter, help me to empty out my vessel of selfishness, pride, arrogance and everything that keeps me from your goodness. Lord, fill me with compassion, humility and love for all creation. Teach me your ways, place your words of instruction on my heart that I might learn from you day and night. I ask all these things in Jesus’ name.
~Amen.
Friends, thank you for stopping by today, I hope you are filled with the JOY that only God can fill you with. You are truly a blessing to me. 💟
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
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