Have you ever admired how God has used someone’s life to impact the lives of others? Have you ever wished you could be used that way?
Second Timothy 2:20–21 tells us exactly what we need to do to position ourselves to be used by God. It says, “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.”
When I read this passage, I think about my own house and the utensils that I have available for my use. As I take a mental look around, I see plastic and paper utensils as well as glass, stainless steel, and casual earthenware. I also see crystal, silver, and fine china. I think about the occasions for which I use these various items. Paper and plastic items are used for convenience. My earthenware, glass, and stainless steel utensils are used for everyday purpose. My fine china, silver, and crystal, however, are used for special purposes and special people.
Paul is telling us that there are people in this world who will live common, ordinary lives. But there are also people God will be able to use in special ways for special purposes. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live an ordinary life. I don’t want to be plastic. No, I want to prepare myself to be used by God in a special way. I want to be crystal!
How does God use us in special ways? Do we have to be seen as special by God? Do we have to be specially chosen by Him? Do we have to be particularly gifted?
Not according to this passage. The secret lies in verse 21: “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.”
God has created each of us for a specific purpose. The key to being used by Him in a special way, however, is something we hold…it’s up to us! If we choose to keep ourselves pure, we will be special utensils in God’s hands. We can be the ones He uses to touch the world.
God is more than ready to transform every one of us in special ways and for His special purposes. He is just waiting for us to purify our hearts and minds and set our lives apart for Him. When we do, we become ready for God to use for every good work.
Imagine what God could do through His people if we all decided to live, think, speak, and act differently from the world. What if we were determined to get rid of anything that offends the heart of God or hinders our walk with Him? What if we made ourselves ready for Him to use?
One thing is for sure—this world would be full of special utensils being used for honorable purposes. It would never be the same. We would never be the same!
You—yes, you!—have been created by God for an incredible purpose here on earth. What are you waiting for?
No matter who or where you are, determine to live a life that honors God. Give your whole life to Him and purify your heart and mind. As you do, God will cause transform your life from ordinary to extraordinary. This year, let God transform you into the crystal He created you to be. Purify yourself today. As you do, God will do amazing things among you and through you.
Written by Kristi Overton Johnson
Photo by Havilah Galaxy
