"The Vessel"
The Master was searching for
a vessel to use:
Before Him were many,
Which one would He choose?
"Take me," cried the gold one.
"I'm shiny and bright;
I'm of great value and I do things
just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine
the rest,
And for someone like you, Master,
Gold would be best."
The Master passed on with no
word at all,
And looked at a silver urn, grand
and tall.
"I'll serve you dear Master,
I'll pour out your wine;
I'll be on your table whenever
you dine.
My lines are so graceful, my
carving so true,
And silver will always complement
you."
Unheeding, the Master passed
on to the brass,
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
so dear.
Though fragile am I, I will serve
you with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in
your house to abide."
Then the Master came next to
a vessel of wood;
Polished and carved, it solidly
stood.
"You may use me, dearest Master,"
the wooden bowl said.
"But I'd rather you used me for
fruit, not for bread."
Then the Master looked down and
saw a vessel of clay.
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! Now This is the vessel I've
been hoping to find.
I'll mend it and use it and make
it all mine.
I need not the vessel with pride
of itself,
Nor one that is narrow to sit
on the shelf;
Nor one that is big-mouthed and
shallow and loud;
Nor one that displays his contents
so proud;
Nor the one who thinks he can
do things just right;
But this plain earthen vessel
filled with 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."
by B.V. Cornwall
We are the clay, and thou our
potter;
and we all are the work of thy
hand.
Isaiah 64:8
Behold, as the clay is in the
potter's hand,
so are ye in mine hand.
Jeremiah 18:6
Thank you Char, from Angel's Bend for this beautiful gift.
