Vessels

Lately, I’ve been working on this new thing called being content.

Though I may not have realized it before, this has always been a problem in my life. Coming from a comfortable home with extra money in our pockets, we were never in need of anything. But what about our ‘wants’?

Yeah. That’s a distinctly different story.

But as we draw nearer to the holidays, I am finding it somewhat challenging to be content with everything I have.

But I’m always up for a challenge! 😉

I know, I know, first-world problems. But I am certain many of you struggle with this very same thing–gratification can be quite the formidable opponent. But surely not insurmountable!

So as I sit here writing this post, I am inspired by my devotional from today, titled “Be The Ready Vessel” (from shereadstruth.com).

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 2:21

What does the word ‘vessel’ mean, exactly? Words are so powerful, so whenever I don’t know exactly what a certain word means, I find out.

According to dictionary.com (and the context of the word in this verse), vessel means ‘a person regarded as a holder or receiver of something, especially something nonmaterial.’

Ex: Vessels of faith, vessels of love, vessels of peace. 

What do I want to be a holder of?

What do I want to receive?

It is so easy to fall into a pattern of ungratefulness, to cultivate a spirit of constant want, to never be satisfied with anything for very long.

I am guilty of this.

I want, I desire, I lust, I hunger, I crave, I thirst, I yearn, I starve for anything and everything I don’t have.

And this is an ugly, selfish, unsightly, human part of me that I try my best to keep hidden.

But we cannot hide the ugly from Jesus. He is our Creator, our Life-Breather, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He sees all, knows all, forgives all.

I fall short of deception every. single. time.

And you will too.

But thank goodness He cares for us so intimately that He would love us as His own sons and daughters.

I am grateful for the warm, unfettered acceptance Jesus gives us freely. He is the first one to truly love us unconditionally. We need not prove anything to Him; He already sees the worst in us.

I am seeking out a spirit of contentment. Knowing how much Jesus cares about you with no strings attached, will you join me in my journey?

be in a state of gratitude for everything that shows up in your life. be thankful for the storms as well as smooth sailing. 

// dr. wayne w. dyer