I wrote this in September of 2009 in response to a prompt assigned to a writing group.
On occasion an empty glass is found, left behind in the
living room, bedroom or family room after someone has carried it with them as
they were consuming its contents. It may
have been there for a long time. Remains
of what was once inside have dried on and while the glass sat hidden, it was of
no use. Extra effort might be needed to get
it clean. The glass may have once held ice
water that quenched a thirst, cold milk that nourished a child, sweet tea, that
comforted the sick, or soda that provided enjoyment. The empty glass must first be washed before
it is ready to be used again.
Another empty glass may be clean, waiting on the shelf, ready
and prepared to be used to meet a need, bring enjoyment, or give comfort. Perhaps it will be filled with water so that
an elderly person can take their medication, or perhaps with milk to drink with cookies
for a child or lemonade for a party. A clean empty glass is ready to be used.
The dictionary states that a glass is a “tall handle less
container used to hold liquids”. Some glasses
might be clear, some colored, and some very elegant. At picnics we use paper or Styrofoam “glasses.
“ Nevertheless, no matter what they look like, glasses have a purpose, and the
plan for them is to be filled with liquid to be consumed by the one who holds
them.
The spiritual application to this illustration is limitless. In 2 Timothy 2:21 we read,
“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”.
As believers in Christ, we are His vessels, containers, to a
certain extent like a glass.
In order to be “ready for every good work” we must be
clean. Just as we shy away from using
dirty silverware, glasses or cups, God is not able to make use of dirty vessels.
Sin makes us unclean and must be avoided and confessed and absent from our lives. Once clean, we must not sit empty, or idle. We must be ready to offer encouragement, furnish reproof, and provide enjoyment for those with whom we come in contact.
The Holy Spirit will keep us filled with His fruit when we are clean and willing so that we can be a benefit to those around us, perhaps to give refreshment to the weary, nourishment to the weak, and encouragement to those who are floundering? Just as the person holding the glass determines what is placed inside, God who holds our vessel guides us toward the work he has for us to do.
Sin makes us unclean and must be avoided and confessed and absent from our lives. Once clean, we must not sit empty, or idle. We must be ready to offer encouragement, furnish reproof, and provide enjoyment for those with whom we come in contact.
The Holy Spirit will keep us filled with His fruit when we are clean and willing so that we can be a benefit to those around us, perhaps to give refreshment to the weary, nourishment to the weak, and encouragement to those who are floundering? Just as the person holding the glass determines what is placed inside, God who holds our vessel guides us toward the work he has for us to do.
As believers, we need to take care that we keep our lives
clean every day. Never hidden away, but
always sparkling and pure, “ready for
every good work”
