Painting by Muncie Indiana
This morning I came across a poem that reminded me that God is in the business of dumbfounding people. Sometimes we think we are smarter and stronger than we really are – talk about the need for a reality check. This is why, after all our calculations when things don’t happen the way we expect them to, then we are dumbfounded. Also, when we don’t expect anything (due to our sin, mistakes, failures, etc) and God still blesses, then we are left dumbfounded.
Things work out this way because God is passionate about His glory. He said, “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols” (Isa 42:8, NIV). Therefore, God will not allow anything to compete with His glory. Whatever that will maximize His glory, God will choose it for His purpose and plan.
In the poem called, “The Chosen Vessel,” the Master passes by some good and beautiful vessels (gold, silver, brass, and crystal) that can be used for good purposes, but he does not choose any of them. Instead, the Master chooses a just a simple and plain earthen vessel.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.
Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
This plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. There’s work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you.
Isn’t this our testimony?