PWOC International Blog

Submitted By Laura Miller, Japan

A few years ago my husband was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan.   This third world country, located north of Afghanistan, is unlike the western world.  My husband was allowed to take his family to this remote part of the world and within 30 hours of our arrival, I experienced a suicide bombing.  The two years spent in this country were at times dangerous and uncertain, however, I felt safe and comfortable most of the time.  I have fond memories of my years spent in this predominantly Muslim country.

One of my favorite places to visit was Tizzy Kavka.  Americans called it the ‘junk’ bazaar….because it literally had a lot of junk.  This place was extremely filthy and foul smelling; causing me to hold my breath and then gasp for air as I meandered through the crowded lanes filled with a mixture of unusual aromas of food cooking, cigarette smoke, incense, and body odor.   People had blankets on the ground or tables displaying their possessions in hope of a sale.  I enjoyed this place because I find people interesting.  But I also enjoyed searching for treasures to purchase.  It is true that one man’s junk can be another man’s treasure.  I found some awesome vessels that I could see beyond the defects and dirt and saw the beauty and potential use for each one I chose and bought.

I purchased different kinds of vessels.  Some of them made of clay, copper, metal and glass with different shapes and sizes.  Many of the vessels I chose were defective in some way; chipped, scratched, cracked, old or dirty and no longer wanted by the owner.  I took them home, cleaned them up and each serves a purpose as a decorative item and some I use every day, such as a teapot.

These vessels represent to me lives and hearts.  Sometimes we see ourselves and the world and Satan makes us feel like junk; old, defective, useless, not the right size, of no value and purpose.   Sin and the trials of life can break us down, crack us, and make us feel dirty, undesired, maybe even frightened in a world filled with danger and uncertainty.

Praise God He sent His son to purchase and redeem us with His precious blood and death on the cross.  He searches and chooses each one of us living in this dirty, foul world and gives us the gift of faith.  He saves us, washes away our sins, and begins sanctifying us-the process of purifying, refining, and transforming us into the image of Christ.  He makes each one of us valuable (we aren’t junk) and gives each of us a purpose.

Just as I saw the beauty, value, and found the vessels as treasures with a purpose, that is how God sees us.  We are loved, valued, beautiful, and He wants us to become a vessel He can use to bring Him glory.

2 Tim 2:21 Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not of ourselves.