Be a Vessel
In the Advent season, we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the Son of God, to earth to live, die as the price for the sin of Man, and be resurrected to eternal life. This is the great miracle. Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice is our salvation from the brokenness of the world, and it has had an immeasurable impact—righteousness we never would have been able to attain on our own was freely given. The word advent means “arrival,” and where there is arrival, there must be a vessel. Mary was the vessel by which Jesus was able to arrive on earth, and through her, God provided the world with the greatest miracle one could imagine. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Mary presented herself to God, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant . . . May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).
Mary submitted herself to the plan God had for her, and because she allowed God to use her for his plan, God was able to give the world Jesus. God throughout history uses imperfect people to do incredible things—things we could never expect, imagine, or deserve. So, like Mary, we too are called to be vessels through which the Kingdom of Heaven comes closer to earth. But what does it mean to be a vessel? How do we prepare ourselves to receive the calling that God has placed on our lives?
We have to create the space to fill this calling. God filled Mary’s womb with Jesus, but it first had to be empty. This same principle applies to us. When we create space for God by allowing emptiness to exist in our lives, he fills that gap with a purpose and plan greater than we could ever have imagined for ourselves. Today, we are so busy that we rarely sit in empty space, and we often prioritize other things over quiet time with the Holy Spirit. We are uncomfortable being empty because it makes us feel insufficient, and we are so deeply steeped in stimulation that we forget how to sit quietly. However, it is when we allow this space to exist that God fills us with beautiful, unimaginable purpose. When we empty ourselves of distractions, we are able to become vessels in which miracles happen.
Laura Ann is a sophomore at Columbia College studying Neuroscience and Behavior on the pre-med track. Aside from the Witness, she is an editor for the Columbia Medical Review as well as a part of the Columbia Women’s Club Volleyball Team and Alpha Chi Omega. In her free time, you can find her at the gym or walking around Manhattan!