Matthew 26:6-11 6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me.
As I was reading this scripture the words “What a waste!” stood out to me. I felt like He was reminding me of this season that we are in. Although it is a time of trials and tribulations, it is equally a time for God to show you His Glory both on a small and grand scale. He has eliminated most, if not all the excuses we would normally use to explain why we don’t spend enough time with Him but like the disciples we too can lose sight of what is important. The disciples looked at the woman with the beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and thought, look at all the things we could do with that jar of expensive perfume. How many of us look at the day we are given and think about all the things we can possibly do. They thought about selling the jar of expensive perfume and giving the money to the poor which was justifiably a good thing to do but somehow they missed the mark. Maybe it was because the disciples were indignant at what the saw? or Maybe Jesus was trying to show them what was more important? Yes selling the jar of expensive perfume and giving the money to the poor is a good thing but Jesus knew that His time on earth was short and that there wouldn’t be another time for this women to give what she had to Him.
As we embark on this new series of “A Place of Presence,” I am reminded of how precious my time is with the Father. Now that the world is in isolation, the world has suggested many things to do during this time to keep you preoccupied/distracted/entertained. I’ve never watched so much Netflix in my life. But God was saying to me, Netflix will always be there, movies will always be there, but you will not always have this time with me. These things are not necessarily bad but we need to make sure we don’t miss the mark like the disciples and be aware of the time we are in and the opportunities we are given.
I leave you with two quotes that help me shape my day:
“Put first things first”
- If I say God is first in my life, then I need to make sure I put Him first. That means prioritizing my time with him over all the things I have to do for the day. This can look differently to different people but the heart of it is being intentional and deliberate with God.
“Take advantage of the Opportunity of a Lifetime, in the Lifetime of that Opportunity”
- God is constantly giving us opportunities to Give, Grow & Go. We need to not only be aware of them but to take advantage of them before they pass. This can look as simple as asking God, “What are you saying to me today?” or “What do you want me to do today?”
Prayer: Father I thank you that your word is alive today as it was when it was written. I thank you that you have given us a opportunities to be in your presence and hear your voice. I pray that you would help us to be more aware of your presence and to help us experience all the goodness you have for us. We pray that you would lead us and keep us focused on you during this time. Lord have your way! In Jesus Name, Amen!