The Vessel (Author Unknown) "The Master was picking a vessel to use; On His shelves there were many - which one would He choose? "Take me," cried the gold one, "I'm shiny and bright, I am of great value; I do things just right. My beauty and luster will outshine the rest. For someone like You, Master, gold would be best!" The Master passed on, with no word at all; He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall; "I'll serve You, dear Master. I'll pour out Your wine. I'll be at Your table whenever You dine. My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true, The silver I'm made of will compliment You." Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass, It was wide-mouthed and shallow and polished like glass. "Here! Here!" cried the vessel, "I know I will do, Place me on Your table for all men to view." "Look at me," called the goblet of crystal so clear, "My transparency shows my contents are quite dear. Although I am fragile, I will serve You with pride, I am sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide." The Master came next to a vessel of wood, Polished and carved, it solidly stood. "You may use me," dear Master, the wooden bowl said, "But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!" Then the Master looked down, saw a vessel of clay. It was empty and broken where it helplessly lay. No hope had the vessel the Master might choose, To cleanse it, to fill it, make it whole, fit for use. "Ah!" said the Master, "This vessel I choose. I will mend it and fill it and put it to use. I need not the vessel with pride in its self; Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf; Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud; Nor one who displays his contents so proud; Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right; But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might. He then gently lifted the vessel of clay, To mend it and cleanse it, He filled it that day. He spoke to it kindly, "There's work you must do, Just pour out to others as I pour into you." Paul wrote Timothy: "But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." (2 Timothy 2:20-21)
