I recently helped my parents pack up my childhood home. Full of emotions, we looked through old memorabilia, including my mom’s beautiful china. I’ve secretly hoped to inherit this beautiful set someday, so I bravely asked my mom. To my surprise, she said yes!

We then had to box it up for its trek across the country. We used so much bubble wrap to pack every delicate dish. Then, to assure it all arrived intact, my parents flew with the box in a suitcase surrounded by padded foam. It was a huge ordeal

We put so much work into this china. However, do you want to know how I packed their coffee mugs? I stacked them, threw a towel on top, and taped the box shut. And don’t even get me started on all the disposable cups my mom had. We just threw those on top of the heap of boxes!

What was the difference between all these cups? Their value.

Disposable cups are just that, disposable. If a coffee mug breaks, there are several others to take its place. But handcrafted china from 40 years ago? That is irreplaceable and valuable.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 shares this very sentiment.

“In a wealthy home some utensils are made of silver and gold, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.”

We’re challenged to keep ourselves pure and ready for the Master’s good work.

People may label you as disposable or replaceable, or you may even place that value on yourself. However, you are so valuable. Why? God chose no other person to be you, but you! He personally created and crafted you to share His love with those around you.

So today, I ask you to think of the most precious item you have and know that God thinks of you as so much more valuable than it. You are His unique gift to the world. We are so blessed to have you!

*For deeper reflection, listen to 2 Timothy 2.