Good morning dear friends,
Today is Saint Patricks day and there are many who believe wearing green is the color of choice. My view is, he was a man. As I grow closer to the Lord I am remember all of the people and times that, in the past, I have held in great regard. Putting them above God. Yes, God gives us pictures of hope in many ways. Through many people. Question? Are they pointing the way to God? And, is it true?
Reading in Luke 7:36-50 is the story about a woman. It happened while Jesus was dining in the house of a Pharasee. This woman was regarded as an especially wicked sinner. However, she had a purpose for coming to this Pharasee's home. She crashed his party carrying an alabaster flask of ointment. When she found where Jesus was reclining, she began to wipe the Lord's feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. She even kissed His feet affectionately. If that wasn't enough to get the people riled up, she proceeded to pour the expensive ointment on His feet! The people were miffed, but she didn't notice. Her heart was breaking and being poured out at the feet of the Master.
A great sacrifice! Noted by Jesus. He received the tender care of this social outcast, devoted to sin. By the end of this we read in verse 50..."But Jesus said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go (enter) into peace [in freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin]." Forgiven was His gift to her!
Jesus sees us as someone worth saving and setting free. Are you free? We can recite all the blessings written by Saint Patrick or any other saint for that matter. We can rehearse over again; "May your troubles be less and your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door." Well, that would be great wouldn't it? Is that what the Lord is calling you too? Rather, I hear Him calling me to come away with Him, to be subject to Him, submisive to the role and circumstance He brings me into and carries me through. My Shepherd.
Okay, I suppose right here you are thinking, "wow, she is sure bringing me down about now". Well, then, you may have not brought a sacrifice of value to the Lord yet. What is it? Your whole heart, mind, soul and strength. I am still learning to apply this to everything in my life. I want to need the Lord more than anything or anyone else. I also need to go forward joyfully! So as far as "bringing you down", let's allow our hearts and minds to be lifted up.
The woman at Jesus feet is the place to be when sin is loaded on your back like a large stone. With every step your feet will soon drag with regret. There is only One Person Who can lift that heavy stone from you. Do we really want freedom from all distresses? The distresses come from selfishness, self-centered ways and a life apart from Christ. To be really free! Can you imagine the smile on this woman's face? As she realized that everyone had their eyes on her...she could lift her head now, free. The weight of her sin gone! She probably felt like she was walking on a cloud! Her sacrifice was worth more now than it was in the alabaster jar.
Will you be poured out in the love you have for Jesus? If I never leave my home today, I will still be pouring out love as His Love fills me, so my cup is overflowing. If someone comes to my door, I will be ready in His readiness.
Your faith has saved you; now go. I pray that you will take this opportunity to bring your gift to Jesus. If you are dirty with sin, it is the best time to come. If you have experienced being a social outcast, devoted to sin, then now is the best time to come to the Lord. You will never be able to fix yourself. You will never be able to 'make' your life a happiness blessing. Not without the Love of Jesus Christ poured into it. Now is the time. Will you come?
My worth to God in public is what I am in private. Oswald Chambers said that. So true! I will pause and think about this today. Galatians 5:1..."In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off.]" In Jesus name, amen.