A Beautiful Thing

I think little by little I'm starting to "get it". Day by day, moment by moment, the Lord is showing me that all the things I think are "mine"-really aren't. My life is not my own. Everyday we make decisions and think they are ours to make. What to do with our money, what to do with our time, how to raise our children. Everything we have is a gift-without Him we'd have nothing and be nothing. God gave us our house, our car, our children, our pets. He gave us time by letting us wake up today! What are you doing with what He has given you? Have you managed your money well? Are you raising children up to bring glory to the Lord? Are you taking care of the possessions you have accumulated or are they suddenly taking over you?

On Sunday, we talked about a well known story of Mary, (Martha and Lazarus' sister), breaking an alabaster jar with very expensive perfume in it, all over Jesus' head and then cleaning His feet with her hair. The disciples chastised her, saying it was a waste for her to do that. It would have taken a whole years worth of income to purchase that one bottle and she just broke it like it was nothing! To the outside eye, it would be easy to say she "wasted"it.

But Jesus didn't. He knew it was everything to her, and she gave it to Him wholeheartedly. Jesus looked at them and said, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me." (Matt 26:10). Wow-a beautiful thing. He goes on to say that wherever the gospel is preached, this act will be talked about in memory of her. I have found myself the last two days, praying that God would show me a "beautiful thing" I can do for Him. What a privilege and an honor for Him to say something like that. Oh how my heart longs to be faithful and longs to live in His will, doing things His way. What a battle of the flesh it can be at times.

It makes me ask myself the question, would I break my most prized and expensive possession over Jesus? Would I bow down at His dusty, filthy feet and clean them with my hair? Would you do that today? What is it that is holding you back from being who He wants you to be? What do you need to give over to Him? It might be your heart, your patience, an impossible situation. It could be anger and grief or heartache. I pray you will let it go and break it over Jesus, allow Him to give you the peace you seek. What beautiful thing will you do for Him today?