January 9, 2026
By Tess Crawford, resource coordinator for World Missions
Scripture meditation: 2 Timothy 2:20-21 – “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes… holy, useful to the Master…”
Discipleship element: Pursuing holiness of heart and life.
I’ve been on a journey from comfortable toward… I’m not really sure what. I thought I was doing okay walking with Jesus. Checking off the right boxes, knowing that some boxes still needed work. That tendency toward checking off boxes is subtle and seductive, isn’t it? It makes us feel like we’re in control. And somewhere along the way, God ends up in a box too.
Until it’s not okay anymore. And God, who never belonged in that box, breaks out and invites this comfortable grace-receiver to step into deeper discipleship.
Paul presents Timothy with a clear picture: there are all kinds of containers in a house. Tupperware, paper, glass, even crystal. Each serves a purpose. Timothy had a choice to make, and so do I. I am a container, a vessel. Will I be one set apart for God’s purposes, “holy, useful to the Master and prepared for any good work”?
It was as if the Lord was inviting me to choose. Stay comfortable, I have grace for you. Or take a step deeper in. Not deeper into working harder, but deeper into whole-self surrender. Not just spiritual intentions, but physical reality too.
Paul’s holy container image echoed in my heart alongside Romans 12:2, and my physical health came into clear focus. I realized that the way I was caring for my body – or not – was quietly limiting my ability to serve God fully. This wasn’t about serious physical limitations beyond my control. This was about my choices. My health had become a barrier, not just physically but spiritually, holding me back from the readiness I longed for.
Several months ago, I accepted God’s grace-filled invitation. It hasn’t been easy. It’s hard work. But with his help, I’m making one healthy and holy choice at a time. Each step is toward better preparedness for whatever good work he has for me, both the work of today and the mystery of walking with Jesus into the future. I want to be a vessel of honor, God’s holy Tupperware, prepared for his purpose and calling.
Holiness is a daily choice to surrender, to be shaped, to be ready. What is God inviting you to surrender so you can become a holy, useful, and prepared vessel?
Prayer
Father, the mystery of what’s ahead on this journey is enticing and exciting, drawing me forward and deeper in. Shape me into your vessel, one that honors you, surrendered and prepared for both tomorrow and today. Amen.