May 21, 2010 Extravagant Love

I'm always so moved by the story of Mary's anointing of Jesus' feet.  It was intuitive, it was humble, it was costly, it was intimate, it was symbolic, it was prophetic.  It was an extravagant outpouring of love and gratitude, with no thought of herself.  It could not be missed.

The fragrance permeated the house.  It must have lingered for days!    Not a soul there could have been unaware of it.  Mary's action would have caused a reaction in everyone: some would have been touched, others angry.  Jesus was so moved that He made sure that act of love was memorialized for all time.  I would love to touch His heart that much-- wouldn't you?

When we live our life in loving surrender and worship of our Lord Jesus, holding nothing back, we give a gift more precious than a life savings.  Each person has a different offering, but when given freely from the heart, it is precious to Him.  To give oneself in extravagant worship is to touch the Lord's heart.  It creates a mutual experience that lingers.  The by-product is that the atmosphere of our life is a compelling fragrance that others, depending on their heart condition, are either drawn to or repelled by.  One thing is certain.  Jesus loves it!

Jesus loves us extravagantly, doesn't He?  Let's return His love.

March 19, 2010

A phrase popped out at me today as I read:  "a pleasant odor, an offering by fire to the Lord."  I want my life to be fragrant and pleasing to the Lord.  I will be meditating on this today, waiting on the Lord to see what He would receive from me as an "offering by fire."