What is a vessel? Suppose you placed one on the table at your side: Have you not two thoughts in your mind as to its use? You place it there to hold what you put in it; this is one thought. Then the other is that it is yours to use as you wish. Had it a will of its own, your use of it would be hindered. And so with God’s vessels of mercy; they are not to have a will of their own; they are for their Master’s use; they are to be filled with that which He puts in them and to be held and used by His hand. It is only in the measure that our wills, our motions and our thoughts are set aside that we are really vessels, fitted and meet for the Master’s use.
Christian Truth (adapted)