From Ordinary to Extrodanary
2 Timothy 2:20-21: “In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.”
What an emotional visual I got on this one!! Almost like the 'Be Our Guest' scene in Beauty & the Beast. I'm doing my own thing, minding my own business at my place. In the room, I'm hearing all of the excitement going on, with everyone excited to be 'used' to serve the "Special Guest". I'm giddy, want to peek out and see who is out there in the dining room. Yet, it's not time. I've heard of being used for special service, but haven't experienced it before. So, I've not really been 'waiting' nor have I actually 'cleaned up' or 'prepared' myself for such a day as this. Needless to say, I'm not as 'shiny' as I could be. But I'm clean, a bit of sparkle, presentable. Then, the Head of the kitchen comes in, and EVERYONE jumps to their feet with excited expectation at being chosen. As the Head gets closer to me, I find myself standing taller, checking my shine, buffing a few spots here & there. I 'feel' I'm ready and can measure up to being used to serve The Guest. Then as different utensils are being chosen, the anticipation grows with each step as the Head gets closer! Now I'm standing tall, proud, ready!! Then it happens, I'm next! Just as the Head looks me over, and catches my eye, they 'see the real me' and how I've not been preparing nor ready for this moment. I've not been pure. Nor actually ready. Just because I am a unique piece, that 'could' be used for special service, I am not chosen this day. The emotional let-down that comes over me, is amazing! The truth of my unreadyness, my laziness, my unbelief... just became a reality, that I'm not one of the expensive utensils used for Special Service, I am made of clay.
Now, in a flash, the Assistant comes by, in a cloud of steam and heat. As He approaches me, I'm given an inner desire to be 'ready and pleasing' for the Head and the next Special Guest that arrives. The steam and heat surrounds us both as the Assistant stands so close, it's almost like we are one. As I let go of my sadness, shame, fears... I'm filled with hope, joy, peace, and I finally have understanding, I actually have a 'shine'! My outer clay, has been refined, and now I too am shining! I'm 'ready' to be ready for the next time!
If ever you have been in a situation where you feel the nudging of the Holy Spirit to do or say something, and you draw back and allow fear to win and hold you back - then you are NOT alone!! However, it is our purpose to be pure and clean - ready to be used by God at any and all moments for honorable use. We get rusty and dull by being too busy to spend time with God in His word. However, it only takes a second to be clean and pure again! We just have to pray and confess our misgivings and or sins, our 'mess-ups', and our amazing Heavenly Father forgives us! He makes us clean, fresh, ready! Here comes our part: we need to do this every day! Sometimes ALL day! Every, I mean EVERY time we do, say, act on, or plan something against Gods character - we MUST be QUICK to confess, and then turn away from doing it! THAT is how we become an 'expensive utensil' special and ready for honorable use!
So that 'secret' thing you might be doing...thinking you are not hurting or harming anyone - it's 'just for your enjoyment' or relaxation, or stress relief.... it's a LIE!! It IS harmful!! To YOU! I'm pretty sure to those around you too, you just don't see it. I'm praying that God touches your heart today, and shares His truth with you. That the Holy Spirit will guide and direct you to repentance. Then Jesus will welcome and accept you with open arms filled with forgiveness, mercy and love! You just have to take the first step: ask for any 'spots' to be revealed to you. Then accept the hand of Jesus, to help you 'get clean' and to 'be pure'. I'm praying for you today!
What an emotional visual I got on this one!! Almost like the 'Be Our Guest' scene in Beauty & the Beast. I'm doing my own thing, minding my own business at my place. In the room, I'm hearing all of the excitement going on, with everyone excited to be 'used' to serve the "Special Guest". I'm giddy, want to peek out and see who is out there in the dining room. Yet, it's not time. I've heard of being used for special service, but haven't experienced it before. So, I've not really been 'waiting' nor have I actually 'cleaned up' or 'prepared' myself for such a day as this. Needless to say, I'm not as 'shiny' as I could be. But I'm clean, a bit of sparkle, presentable. Then, the Head of the kitchen comes in, and EVERYONE jumps to their feet with excited expectation at being chosen. As the Head gets closer to me, I find myself standing taller, checking my shine, buffing a few spots here & there. I 'feel' I'm ready and can measure up to being used to serve The Guest. Then as different utensils are being chosen, the anticipation grows with each step as the Head gets closer! Now I'm standing tall, proud, ready!! Then it happens, I'm next! Just as the Head looks me over, and catches my eye, they 'see the real me' and how I've not been preparing nor ready for this moment. I've not been pure. Nor actually ready. Just because I am a unique piece, that 'could' be used for special service, I am not chosen this day. The emotional let-down that comes over me, is amazing! The truth of my unreadyness, my laziness, my unbelief... just became a reality, that I'm not one of the expensive utensils used for Special Service, I am made of clay.
Now, in a flash, the Assistant comes by, in a cloud of steam and heat. As He approaches me, I'm given an inner desire to be 'ready and pleasing' for the Head and the next Special Guest that arrives. The steam and heat surrounds us both as the Assistant stands so close, it's almost like we are one. As I let go of my sadness, shame, fears... I'm filled with hope, joy, peace, and I finally have understanding, I actually have a 'shine'! My outer clay, has been refined, and now I too am shining! I'm 'ready' to be ready for the next time!
If ever you have been in a situation where you feel the nudging of the Holy Spirit to do or say something, and you draw back and allow fear to win and hold you back - then you are NOT alone!! However, it is our purpose to be pure and clean - ready to be used by God at any and all moments for honorable use. We get rusty and dull by being too busy to spend time with God in His word. However, it only takes a second to be clean and pure again! We just have to pray and confess our misgivings and or sins, our 'mess-ups', and our amazing Heavenly Father forgives us! He makes us clean, fresh, ready! Here comes our part: we need to do this every day! Sometimes ALL day! Every, I mean EVERY time we do, say, act on, or plan something against Gods character - we MUST be QUICK to confess, and then turn away from doing it! THAT is how we become an 'expensive utensil' special and ready for honorable use!
So that 'secret' thing you might be doing...thinking you are not hurting or harming anyone - it's 'just for your enjoyment' or relaxation, or stress relief.... it's a LIE!! It IS harmful!! To YOU! I'm pretty sure to those around you too, you just don't see it. I'm praying that God touches your heart today, and shares His truth with you. That the Holy Spirit will guide and direct you to repentance. Then Jesus will welcome and accept you with open arms filled with forgiveness, mercy and love! You just have to take the first step: ask for any 'spots' to be revealed to you. Then accept the hand of Jesus, to help you 'get clean' and to 'be pure'. I'm praying for you today!
Comments