Worship versus Wasting
Have you ever thought about what it means to worship God? This thought has been on my heart for quite some time. When I was younger, the thought of worship was simple: singing in church or choir, playing an instrument, or some sort of music used to please the Lord. But now, this term ‘worship’ has taken a whole new meaning in my life. I was recently reading through a well known passage of Scripture in John 12:1-8. This account was a favorite of mine in Sunday school. Simply put, Mary, the sister of Martha, anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and washes His dirt-covered feet with her hair. This act of washing Jesus’ feet was worship. You see, worship is not just music-related, it is everything we do in the right spirit to glorify God. Worship can be as simple and beautiful as working in the nursery or sound room with a joyful heart. Worship can be playing the sport you love with a heart that longs to glorify God with the talents He has given you. Worship can be completing your chores to the best of your ability with a thankful heart. Worship can be thanking God for a challenge or hardship instead of questioning and doubting. Worship is an attitude of your heart.
Worship can be done all day long. Not just on Sunday’s, but every day. In fact, you are either worshiping God, or you are wasting moments of worship. This simple truth about worship caught my attention, but it doesn’t stop there. Let’s look at Mary’s response versus the response of the others in the room. Mary took ALL the ointment. 300 days worth of probably the most valuable thing she owned. The other gospels record that Mary broke the flask, holding nothing back, and poured the ointments from the top of Jesus’ head to His feet. Mary’s actions revealed her heart. Often, our actions are a reflection of our beliefs and expectations of Jesus. She did not worry about the reactions or thoughts of others, she simply gave all that she had–her very best for the Lord. Mary valued Jesus. Judas likewise revealed his heart with his words, “Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?” Judas criticized Mary’s worship. He viewed this beautiful act of Mary as a waste. Judas thought of himself and the money he could have had if that ointment was sold. How often do we waste our everyday opportunities to worship the Lord because we selfishly view ourselves as more important than Jesus? Sometimes, we can worship the Lord and grow discouraged thinking our worship is in vain. Take heart, look at the words of Jesus in these next verses. Jesus came to the defense of Mary when He said, “Let her alone; against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.” You see, Mary probably didn’t understand this at the time, but just one week later, Jesus was crucified. Mary had anointed Jesus for his impending death on the cross. These spices and perfumes were often used to hide the smell associated with decay during funerals. Mary’s actions pointed to God’s plan to die on the cross for all humanity.
What a precious gift Mary gave, all because she used what she had to worship the Lord. Judas would have wasted this opportunity. What about you? Are you using whatever you have to worship the Lord? Or are you wasting these opportunities because you are focusing on self? Remember, our heart reveals how much we value Christ.