In our ladies Bible study last night, we spent some time talking about the story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with perfume, and how others (even the disciples!) thought that what she was doing was a waste. Many times in our lives we make choices that to others (even other Christians!), seem like we are wasting our time.
As I clean up Cheerios and smashed bananas off the kitchen floor while singing “Praise Him, Praise Him, all ye little children…” to Vera, I have to remind myself: I am not wasting my life!
I came across a blog post I wrote in the fall of 2006 (long before this blog started), and I thought I’d re-post it here.
The Best Use of a Life
John 12:1-8: “Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.'”
What was the best use of Mary’s jar of perfume? As the disciples looked on, Mary broke the vessel and poured the costly perfume on Jesus’ feet. Judas Iscariot criticized Mary, asking, “Why this waste?” The onlookers could not understand an important truth: Jesus was worth it. They underestimated the worth of Jesus and questioned why Mary would sacrifice something so valuable.
She could have held tightly to her valuable perfume, which quite probably, was her dowry…her savings…her security for the future. But Mary knew that by giving all to Jesus she gained something eternal. She gave Him everything she had, and she knew that her future was secure in Him.
Mary knew that there was no better use for her jar of perfume than to break it and pour it on Jesus’ feet.
What is the best use for your life? Sometimes we hold too tightly and cling too selfishly to our lives. We seem to think that by refusing to surrender to Jesus’ lordship, we can control our future.
We must realize that the best use of a life is complete brokenness at Jesus’ feet.
As others see our lives, they may ask the question, “Why this waste?” To others, we may appear to be wasting our lives in service to Jesus.
But the truth is this: Brokenness is the very best use of a life.
Here is an “on the other side” perspective–which reinforces the TRUTH in this post:
The little toddler that I cleaned up after 24 years ago (Cheerios and smashed bananas also, I am sure!) is now writing wonderful posts like this which inspire many people! I have invested my life in many lives, but even if I had only invested it in hers, I feel my time would’ve been VERY well-spent–when I consider the many people she has influenced and encouraged.
What might Vera, or your readers’ children, be doing in 15 or 20 or 25 years? And what are you doing today to influence who they will be then??
We will never be sorry if we purposefully invest our time–God will be faithful as we give it as a costly sacrifice unto Him!
“For where your treasure is (your time, talents, money, etc), your heart will be also.” Matt.6:21