THE CHOSEN VESSEL

This poem is so beautiful... just really want to share it with you. =)

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THE CHOSEN VESSEL

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there 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 the 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
And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment You.

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was widemouthed 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 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 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! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of its self;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is bigmouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But 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."

--Author Unknown

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A man can counterfeit love, he can counterfeit faith, he can counterfeit
hope and all the other graces, but it is very difficult to counterfeit
humility.
Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899)

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After crosses and losses, men grow humbler and wiser.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

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Always take the lowest place, and the highest will be given to you, for high
structures require a solid foundation. The greatest, in the judgment of God,
are the least in their own opinion; the more worthy they are, the more
humility will be seen in them.
Thomas À Kempis (C. 1380-1471)

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Humility is a divine veil that covers our good deeds and hides them from our
eyes.
Climacus Saint John (570-649)

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Humility is a most strange thing. The moment that you think you have
acquired it is just the moment you have lost it.
Bernard Meltzer

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Humility is nothing but truth, while pride is nothing but lying.
Vincent De Paul (1580-1660)

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Because Christ Jesus came to the world clothed in humility, he will always
be found among those who are clothed with humility. He will be found among
the humble people.
A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)