September 24, 2026 | Be Connected
The Common Made Holy
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-21(NIV)
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Devotional
When I was a young man, I was set up on a blind date by my boss in the landscape company I worked for. I agreed, called her, and set the time. What I didn’t expect is that her house was protected by a gate that could only be opened by pushing a button and asking permission to have it opened. The massive house had an imposing front door. Once inside, I noticed everything was white. The walls were white. The carpet was white. The furniture was white.
This was a striking contrast to the earthy designs of avocado green, burnt orange, harvest gold and wood paneling walls that accentuated most middle-class homes I was used to in the 70’s and 80’s. My date’s mom answered the door, invited me in, and offered me a glass of water as I waited for her daughter to come down the stairs. Two thoughts ran through my mind: I should have worn something nicer, and I don’t know where to set down this glass of ice water. I took her for putt-putt and pizza.
Regardless of how elaborate a home is, it usually contains a variety of items, from the punch bowl to the toilet bowl. In the days before flushing toilets, households often used a chamber pot for collecting excrement during the cold night. This had to be emptied and cleaned the next day.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse and sanctify us, we go from being a toilet bowl to a punch bowl. Only then are we made special, made holy, made useful. God takes the filthy rags of our lives and turns them into fine linens fit for heaven’s banquet (Isaiah 64:6; Revelation 19:8). The Lord turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. He makes the ignoble noble, the unrighteous righteous, the dishonorable honorable, the impure pure.
None of this is by our own doing. Yet we participate. This Scripture says, “Those who cleanse themselves….” This word cleanse has the same etymology as the word catharsis. Our worldly ways must be cleansed, scrubbed and disinfected to purge all filth, germs and toxins. We repent and invite the Holy Spirit to sanctify us for his purposes.
Ask the Lord to purify you and make you holy, useful, and prepared to do His work.
