A Willing Vessel
Copyright ©2020 by The Good Elder. All rights reserved.
During a moment of contemplation, I was moved to consider the concept of a name, and particularly, how it can be used to limit or bind. Essentially, a name is just a handle for a vessel, but it also describes the vessel that it references. So, although a name can condense, limit, or bind (i.e. a person or group), can one's life be so inspiring that their impact flips the script and gives life to the name?
When we consider the lives and impact of celebrities, especially those who have passed (tragically, like Michael Jackson or Prince, for example), many people become emotional, feeling as though they lost someone whom they knew personally. This is not an unusual response, and certainly appropriate, given that we tend to develop emotional ties to people whom we've seen in the media, and especially to those people whose performances, regardless of genre, touch us and inspire us.
However, a fair question that one could pose of such people, whether living or dead, is this: beyond their entertainment value, what have they contributed to society, to the upliftment of humanity, and to you (and me) personally?
Certainly, many celebrities and wealthy people have used their good fortune for philanthropic causes, and often, (to their credit) without much fanfare. Others may not be as charitable in the formal sense, but the selfless quality of their work shines so brightly until we are inspired simply by the mention of their names. But, there are others who are less charitable, perhaps not even all that skilled or talented, and are more concerned about maintaining their name and brand. They may be famous, they may make a lot of money, but should their star power burn out, or if they pass away, we probably won't feel a profound loss.
In our own lives, the people who've had the most profound impact on our lives are generally not rich or famous. But, while they didn't have the big name or the big money, their goodness radiated as a shining light before us, even with those who have gone on to their rest.
What is it about these people that makes them so impactful? We could say that "They're family", but not every one of them is. We could say that "I know them very well," but we may not know them well, or even at all.
In truth, the best thing that we can say about these impactful folks is that they are luminaries, light bringers, way showers. And, if we are to be like them, or are to aspire to what they INspire in us, then we, too, must be a willing vessel.
Our scripture comes from the so-called "Sermon on the Mount", where Jesus taught the Israelites who had gathered to hear him. In this particular section of his teachings, he reminded them that Israel was established to be a peculiar people.
Although this "chosen" doctrine has been distorted today by many (and even by some in Jesus' time) to suggest that Israel was better than, more important, or more special to God that everyone else, Jesus reminded them that, like salt does to food, Israel is simply to help bring forth or enhance what is already there in the people (spiritually and morally). And, in order to accomplish this, Israel must not close itself off from the world. Yes, fostering a community of the faithful is important, and those who follow the Israelite Way should continue to cultivate and practice those things which God gave to set us apart; but we should not hide from the world. We should not keep it to ourselves.
Thus did Jesus teach (Matthew 5):
[14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
[15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
In other words, Israel, you are the light bringers, the way-showers; and you can't be and show the Way if no one can see you... or more precisely, see the Light in you! So, while it is a blessing to be an Israelite, it is not enough to simply be an Israelite. It is not enough even to keep the commandments. To fulfill the mission of Israel, each one must be a willing vessel for God's Light!
Chosenness is less about being art on a wall, which is there to be admired, and more about being a light in a hallway, which is there to show the way in darkness.
We understand that a vessel is an object that allows something of value to be contained and/or transported. The vessel must be strong enough to hold whatever is placed within it. The bigger (or stronger) the vessel is, the more it can hold.
In the case of Light, however, there is an addition criterion. As Jesus pointed out, a vessel of light is useless if that vessel prevents the shining of that Light. The whole point of a vessel of light, be it a candle, or a lantern, or a flashlight, or a lamp... is to make sure that the light is seen, so that one can make his or her way in darkness. It would be stupid to turn on a flashlight, then cover it with your hand! Why turn it on if you don't let the light shine? What good is hidden light?
We live in a world of darkness, and it is difficult for us pilgrims to make our way through this vale of sorrow. But the Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 119:105, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
The darkness that we experience is two-fold. There is darkness, in the sense of ignorance. People don't know right from wrong. And, today, with the effects of the dumbed down educational curriculum now bearing fruit, it seems that too few people know much of anything about anything! Of the dwindling population that still believes in formal or ritualized worship of a Supreme Being, even fewer know anything in depth about their tradition, where they could explain it to others or even apply it in their own daily lives.
This leads us to the second form of darkness, namely evil (particularly deliberate and malicious actions). There is, for example, an entire genre of TV programming that provides entertainment based on (artificial) drama in interpersonal relationship and personal mistakes/failings (reality TV). Additionally, we find that politicians are more focused on making sure that health care companies make and keep profits than on whether and why all people don't have coverage at all. The entire capitalist system (and the mentality of those who operate behind the scenes) is based on creating artificial scarcity, i.e. haves versus have nots, and then pitting them against each other.
We find increasing acts of malice by those who have money and privilege against those who do not have it, from immigrants, to the poor, the uneducated, and those with brown and black skin. Daily, we navigate in a world governed by policies designed to oppress, impoverish, disenfranchise, discourage, and even destroy the masses, for the sake of financial benefits for the few.
If it were not for God's Word and God's Law, we would have no vision, no direction, and no hope! In fact, it is a testament to the power of God's Word that, given all that is stacked against the average person, that because of it, people still have any hope or even motivation at all!
Being that this is the case, the role of the Israelite is even more important as ever, as the world looks for desperately needed light-bringers and way-showers, and not always in the sense of formal theology or traditional worship.
In order to be a willing vessel for God's Light, two things are required. First, the vessel must be able to receive the Light. The Psalmist teaches us that living in accordance with God's Word and Law is Light. So, in order for one to receive the Light, one must live a life that generates and/or draws down that Light. One cannot generate or draw down God's Light living according to one's own agenda. It requires a willing, humble, and strong spirit to accomplish, especially in these days of hedonism, in these days where doing right is not only less common, but in some cases, even ridiculed. As Bishop William S. Crowdy wrote, "Religion is not to get, but it is a duty. It is something to do all the time."1
What is also required is for the vessel to be clean and transparent. If the vessel is opaque, then the Light won't shine through. If the person emphasizes self more than the work, that person is opaque and will block the Light. If a vessel is dirty, it will taint whatever is put in the vessel. Would you pour clean water into a dirty glass, and worse, then drink that water? If that seems disgusting to you, just consider what God must think about us when He wants to pour out His Light into us?
From Isaiah 1:
[16] Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil;
[17] Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Certainly, we all have fallen short, but God doesn't require perfect people; He only requires perfect striving, with love in one's heart, for the betterment of mankind and the praise of and gratitude to the Source from whom all blessings flow!
Many people claim to want to be willing vessels for God, but can't be bothered to move themselves out of the way or to clean themselves up! God is not a "Burger King" god. We don't get to have it our way. To be a willing vessel, we must repent, change, improve, grow, learn; and keep doing this every day! Continue to refine the vessel, even to the point of magnifying the Light!
With this in mind, let us reconsider the lives of those who have inspired (and continue to inspire) us today. They inspire us to be LIKE them--but, to be like them is to do what they did! Thus, the essence that moves us is not the self, but the Light that shone through them cleanly and brightly.
We can be like them because we, too, can be a willing vessel. Like them, our name can be great because we can choose to grow and change such that the Light emanating from us shines brightly and bigger than the vessel carrying it. Those who see the Light emanating from you will call you blessed and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
1See also The Bible Story Revealed, available online from the online Library of Congress Archives, page 36
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