KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla., May 23, 2012 — Have you ever looked at someone’s life and marveled how God has used that person to impact the lives of others? Have you ever thought, “I wish I could be used that way.” Recently I came across a verse that shows exactly what we need to do to position ourselves spiritually to be used by God.
II Timothy 2:20-21 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 thought about my own house and the utensils I have that are available for my use. As I took a mental look around I saw plastic and paper utensils as well as glass, stainless steel and casual earthenware. I also saw crystal, silver and fine china. As I considered these various utensils I thought about the occasions in which they would be used. Paper and plastic items are used for convenience. My earthenware, glass and stainless steel utensil are for every day use. My fine china, silver and crystal, however, are saved for special occasions and special people.
As I meditated on this verse, I realized that God was saying through Paul that, as in a house, there are people in this world who live common, ordinary lives, and then there are people who God will use in a special way for a special purpose. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live an ordinary life. I don’t want to be plastic. Rather, I want to prepare myself to be used by God in a special way. I want to be crystal!
So how can we be used in a special way? 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.”
Wow! According to this verse the key to being used by God in a special way isn’t up to God; it’s up to us. God is more than ready to use every one of us in a special way and for His special purpose. He is just waiting for us to prepare our hearts and minds to be used by Him.
Living a victorious, purpose-filled life that impacts the world around you doesn’t just happen on its own. It happens just as it did in my ski career. I became a water skier the day I took to the water at the age of four, but I didn’t become a World Champion water skier the day I learned to ski. It took a determined spirit, sacrifice, dedication, focus and years on the water (25 years to be exact). It demanded choices from me that would take me down the path to victory.
Similarly, experiencing a close relationship to God, experiencing His peace, power, provision, protection and His plan doesn’t just happen the moment we make Him our Savior. It takes a decision on our part to seek Him, to draw close and stay close to Him, to obey Him, to be led by Him, to spend time with Him, and to keep our hearts and minds open to Him. It takes a conscience, daily choice to keep our lives pure before Him so that He can use us. According to our passage, when we do these things, God can use us because He has all He needs…a willing, obedient and teachable heart.
Imagine how this world would be transformed if all Christians rose up in their spirits and decided to follow God wholeheartedly. Imagine what God could do through us if we decided to be different from the world and set our lives apart for Him. Imagine if we began to cleanse our lives and get rid of the things in our lives that don’t bring glory to God. Imagine if we removed the people and things in our lives that cause us to stumble or distract us so that we can move forward with God. Imagine if we made “pure” our thoughts, actions, conversations, relationships, lifestyles, homes, and the motives of our hearts. Imagine if we decided to make available our time, resources, and talents to be used by God.
This world would never be the same! We would never be the same! My friends, we have been chosen by God for an incredible purpose here on earth. What are we waiting for? Resolve in your heart today to give your whole life to God. Resolve to get to know Him through His Word and through conversing with Him.
Let God turn your life from the ordinary into the extraordinary in 2012. 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.
JOSHUA 3:5 Consecrate yourself for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you!
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