Smelly Feet
April 27th, 2006
Heidi Bolz
Luke 7:45-46 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
This is a passage that has struck me in a different way today. Every other time, I have focused on the cost of the perfume as the sign of the depth of this woman’s devotion to Jesus. What hit me today is that as she poured out her perfume, she must have known that it could not be gathered back up and taken with her as she left that day. Her perfume was gone just as her tears and kisses were irretrievable. Once given, the other person receives them and is affected by them. Jesus, very obviously, was appreciative of her love and the evidence of it that she showed to Him that day. Many sins forgiven equaled much love for Jesus who forgave them.
What is it that I give to Jesus that I know is irretrievable? Is it given in an act of love? The one thing that sticks out in my mind the most is time. Do I willingly give that to God as the woman in this passage willingly poured out her perfume? God had my days numbered before I was born (Job 14:4) so I have enough time to do all that He has prepared in advance for me to do (Ephesians 2:10). Do I give my time effectively to Him in order that I accomplish those things? The lady in this passage was willing to give something costly. My time is worth much to me because there seems to be so little of it. I want to make certain that everything I do, every moment of each day, is one of worship. I want to be showing the Lord how much I love Him, bringing Him honor and glory just as this woman showed love and honor in the way she treated Jesus. May the depth of my love for Him be evident today in how I give Him my time. May I love Him much because He has forgiven me of so much.
Lord, I love you. I want to give to you that which is so precious to me…my time…all of it. Help me today to see those ways that I can give my time to you wholeheartedly. Thanks you for your forgiveness. I praise you for it and for how it has changed my life for eternity.
April 27th, 2006 at 6:50 am
Deuteronomy 7 was extremely encouraging today. After weeks of difficult readings, God’s message overtook me. In this chapter, God is giving his children a beautiful, encouraging “pep” talk before the long task of reclaiming their promised land. He first reminds them of who He is, what He has done in the past, and how much He loves them. As I read, words lifted off the page: “the Lord set his affection on you and loves you; delivered you with a “mighty hand and redeemed you”; “The Lord your God is God”, “kept his oath”; “faithful and keeping his covenant of love”.
Next, He explains His covenant of love. “He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers”. He also says He’ll bless their children, crops, livestock, protect them from diseases, and so on. Then He talks about the difficult road of battle ahead. His encouragement is not to be “terrified,” but to remember that He is with them and He is a great and Awesome God! He will help them, drive out nations, throw their enemies into confusion and even deliver kings over to them.
What got to me the most was the next words, “You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you.” Wow, what encouragement! He lets them know that it will be slow going, “little by little”, but not to get discouraged. He has a reason for it, a reason that goes far beyond their understanding.
When trials or seasons seem to drag out, I have a tendency to grumble and start asking “why”. I am quick to get impatient with God, quick to want relief, quick to remind him of the promises He’s made as if I’m cashing in a coupon, quick to get tunnel vision. I must keep in mind that God sees things I am oblivious to and remind myself again that it’s not about me.
God, thank you for your hand of protection. Forgive me when I bicker and complain in my impatience. Forgive me for my selfishness and short-sightedness. Your ways are not mine and I am so thankful for that. You are an awesome and loving God!
April 27th, 2006 at 9:27 am
You have said it SO perfectly, Heidi! May you be blessed!