From the beautiful story of “Jesus anointed at Bethany" - “And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me.” ~Matthew 26:6-11
This is the story of a poor young woman who takes an expensive alabaster box filled with a rich perfume and pours it out on Jesus. The disciples were angry and said, “Why this waste?”. Apparently, the box and ointment were worth a lot of money. And could have been sold for much to give to the poor. But Jesus disagreed and was pleased with what the woman did. He said to his disciples, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for me.”
I’ve been reflecting on my journey, and I consider this story one of my favourites from the Gospels. I found in this story a positive meaning to the word ‘waste’.
Our service to God isn’t like ‘a walk in the park’, it’s not about having a title, showing up to church, meetings, leading a group and so on. In my own experience, it is about my personal relationship with God. It’s about those times and hours that no one else knows about. The times you attend to family needs, work to earn a living, and times spent on improving yourself, disciplining yourself, educating yourself, praying and bible reading, and the activities/actions you do that build your passion and determination to be a better follower of Christ.
So, I encourage myself to never feel like my time doing these things is wasted. Everything I do, I do for Christ who saved me and “brought me out into a better place.” (Psalm 18:19)
God has me in a place where I’m supposed to be. I’m not wasting my time or my abilities. We cannot find fulfilment just by achieving tasks for the Lord. We are fulfilled only by wasting ourselves. Why? Because the goal is not the work. It is the pleasure of our Lord that we waste ourselves on Him! Jesus told the disciples not to trouble the woman, “For she has done a good work for me.” Think of those unplanned times with people who need your help. Those who draw on your personal time because they are in crisis. Holding someone’s hand, crying with them, lifting them up to God in prayer… To me, that’s the fragrant oil! I see prayer and intercession as a ‘feet-washing’ ministry. Those we pray for: sickness, weariness, grief, discouragement, frustration, anger, forgiveness.... As we lift those with needs up in prayers, God heals, restores, renews and gives them fresh courage for the journey. That’s the place where we find contentment and fulfilment. The psalmist says, “You, O God, did freely send the rain, giving strength to the weariness of your heritage.” (Psalm 68:9). God does it through us, so do not grow weary in wasting your precious time in the service of our Lord!
My journey through brokenness… “In the crushing, in the pressing, you are making new wine.” (Hillsong)
Let me leave you with this question: when was the last time you washed the Lord’s feet?
Let me know your thoughts. I’d love a discussion with you.
Also, let me know how we can pray for you and your family.
God bless you!
(Readings, inspiration from K. Kumar “Waste Yourself” & Christopher Connors “The Value of You”)
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