Broken Vessel

I've mentioned that I am an incurable optimist.  When Shorty sees the "glass half-empty" I tend to see it more than half full.  If it is 3/4 empty, I'll probably mention that it still has SOMETHING in it!  And if the "glass" IS empty, I'm likely to point out that at least it's clean. =)  This has caused me to be quite gullible sometimes. (Late night infomercials anyone? ;))  I've believed quite a few of the outrageous claims, and purchased something that just didn't live up to its spectacular promises.

Well, I am an optimist-- except when it comes to God's ability to use me.  You see, as God reveals more and more how deeply sin is etched into my character, my thought is: "I'm a broken vessel.  I don't know how God can minister to anyone through me."  I have confidence in His ability to use others, but not me.

And as a dear sister was talking to me yesterday, she summed up the problem that I had been unable to put my finger on.  "Whose kingdom are you building?"  All of the things that I had been struggling with boiled down to me trying to build a "kingdom" for myself.  I want to hold too tightly to the things that are entrusted to me as if they actually BELONG to me-- but they don't.  I am simply privileged to be useful in Christ's kingdom.  And if He can breathe life into dry bones-- and He does!-- He can certainly use me now that I am His.

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:1-16