“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him,” ~2 Corinthians 2:14
© 2017 Lynn Abbott
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus and the twelve stopped to see their friends in Bethany, (Mark 14:1-10; John 12:1-8). Simon hosted a dinner in Christ’s honor and Lazarus, Martha and Mary helped.
During dinner, Mary took a pint of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet. Given that foot-washing was a regular part of daily life, the anointing itself would not have been highly unusual.
But Mary, a respected woman in the community, took the role of a servant. In addition, she used perfume in place of water.
It was a gift from the heart, an act of sacrificial service and worship. She beautifully served her Savior in the midst of the daily mundane.
How could a bottle of perfume be useful to God? Easy.
Our heavenly Father treasures our gifts of faithfulness and love, no matter how mundane they may seem to us.
Mary wholeheartedly served her Savior with what she had. She gave with great love.
I will never play Beethoven’s Fifth in Carnegie Hall nor is it likely that my art will hang in the Smithsonian.
Fortunately, God doesn’t define success by our mountaintop achievements but rather by our quiet work on the valley floor, (Matthew 25:23).
And as we cross those plains, patient perseverance produces something of incomparable value: Christ-like maturity, (2 Peter 1:5-8).
You and I may not achieve great fame or fortune. In this world, we will probably traverse more valleys than mountaintops.
Yet, our heavenly Father treasures our gifts of faithfulness and love, no matter how mundane they may seem to us.
Abba looks beyond worldly circumstances and delights in the faithful heart of His beloved child.
And that makes life’s valleys worth it all.
Through Ink & Image 