TEXT TO REFLECT
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
2 TIMOTHY 2:20-21
REFLECT
One would assume that one should aspire to be a vessel of gold or silver rather than a vessel of wood and clay. Afterall, gold and silver vessels are worth far more than those made of wood and clay. Even the shops that sell them are different. Gold and silver ware are sold in posh stores in prominent places. Wood and clay pots and pans are found in corner stalls or holes in the wall. And in homes, gold and silver vessels are on display on shelves and display cabinets. Often highlighted by lights. Not so clay and wooden vessels. These are hidden in the kitchen, or the bathroom, or in the garden. They are for utility and not for display.
But when one thinks of usefulness, one would have to question what is honourable use and what is dishonourable use. Which vessel would be “ready for every good work”? I think of the clay pots that are used for cooking. No one uses a gold pot for making stew. I once saw a golden chamber pot (urinal) in a museum, owned by a very rich man. I tried imagining what it felt like peeing into a gold potty.
The point I am making is that usefulness or ‘honourable use’ is not determined by its monetary value, nor the prominence that society places on it. A vessel made of gold or silver may be highly prized, but it may be less useful than the humble clay pot that is used to cook delicious meals. What makes a vessel useful is more it’s cleanliness than its prominence. A lowly claypot is as useful for cooking as it’s cleanliness. If it is clean, it can be used to cook a healthy meal. If it is filthy, that same pot is useless as a vessel for food.
In the same way, our lives are as useful for our Father’s use as our personal purity. When we have cleansed ourselves, then the things that we say and do will come forth from a pure heart and a pure mind. And this will give life. Conversely, a mind that is defiled by jealousy and resentment and pride and immorality will give birth to words and deeds that take life from others.
RELATE
A friend related this to me. She had just returned from a church camp. To my friend, it was a wonderful camp where she met with God. She shared with me about her roommate who was such a joy to be with. They were both positive and saw goodness in everything. Objectively, the camp wasn’t such a great one. There were issues with their room, and issues with logistics and planning. But to my friend, it was such a lifegiving camp because her roommate helped her see beauty and goodness in everything.
The Christian writer C.S Lewis in The Last Battle in the Chronicles of Narnia made a similar observation. In his fantasy story, he described a banquet where the best food was served. But some who attended the banquet saw everything that was wrong with the food. They had complaints about every item. Others, on the other hand, enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
A mind that is cleansed is infectious in giving life. Such a person helps others see God in every situation. No matter what circumstances they are in, they are able to see God’s hand and point others to God’s presence. Let us strive to be such persons.
REST
Finally, brothers and sisters,
Whatever is true
Whatever is noble
Whatever is right
Whatever is pure
Whatever is lovely
Whatever is admirable
If anything is admirable or praiseworthy,
Think about such things.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8
Chiu Ming Li
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