Holy Vessels

    WARNING: you locals who attend BUMC may hear part of this on Sunday!

    The pastorate is filled with ups, downs, and everything in between, and one never knows what a day holds.  At times this can be exhilarating and at other times frustrating, however what I have found is that if I’m able to keep perspective, keep my eyes on God, and open myself up to God’s movement, then God makes a way...even when I wonder how and if that will happen!
    This has been one of those crazy and hectic weeks with many unexpected turns.  That which I’d planned to do has been interrupted by far more important things, and at times I have found myself feeling overwhelmed and anxious.  And yet, as I’ve looked back I’ve also seen how God has brought peace and perspective in the midst of not doing what I have wanted to do.
    I was thinking and praying this morning about the week, reflecting upon the sermon topic (“Holy Vessels”), when I realized that in the midst of the week God has provided people to serve as “Holy Vessels” of love, guidance, and support for me, as well as rediscover that I am blessed to be a firsthand witness to the ways in which God provides Holy Vessels of love all over the place.
    Over the past week I encountered God’s servants facing hard decisions, addressing them, and moving

forward with grace.  Over meals and in the midst of planning, I’ve seen the Spirit at work in the sharing at table but also in offering support and care for me.  Through visitation and pastor care, I’ve experienced God leading situations, people, and even my own thoughts to increase healing and wholeness.
    As I have been reminded of these things, I am reminded that God indeed is the Creator, and God is in the business of creating “Holy Vessels” of love and hope.  What we have to do is simply open our eyes and hearts to look for what God offers through the Vessels around us, but we are also called to open ourselves up and invite God to make US Holy Vessels of God’s hope and love in the world.

    I find it interesting that a “Vessel” is an object that is created to hold something, but it is not created to lock that something away, instead it is simply to store it until it is needed.  That is, something of value is placed in the vessel, but then it is poured out and shared.
    In light of the current discussion, God pours God’s Spirit into us, and in doing so makes us “Holy Vessels.”  We carry that Spirit within us, but it’s not something for us to hold onto or lock away.  Instead, our call is to share what God has given us by pouring it out on the world.

    What has God poured into you, which God needs you to pour out into the world?  Keep your heart, mind, and eyes open for the prompting, then open yourself and let God use you this week.