Ridgell's Originals

 It is a great story found in Mark 14.  A woman is so overcome with her love for Jesus and desire to worship him that she pours a whole jar of very expensive perfume over his head.  And some people didn't like it.  Thought the perfume should have been sold so the money could be givne to the poor.  The even rebuked the woman.  That were critical of her act of worship.  Then Jesus rebuked the critics.  Commended the woman for her act of worship and adoration.  Reminded them that the poor were always going to be around and they could help them anytime they wanted.

Then he said that wherever the good news was preached all over the world that this story would be told in memory of her.

So a couple of things I have thought about from this story...

Go all out in worship.  Honor God and Jesus.  Do the radical things in your life.  After all, the greatest command is to love God with all you have.  And do not criticize how others worship.  How they give.  How they sing.  

Jesus over people.  The poor are always going to be here.  Jesus is not saying to ignore the poor.  He is saying He is more important.  We can -- and should -- help the poor (and serve people) anytime we can.  There will always be opportunities to help.  But be sure and keep Jesus first.

So when deciding what to do in any situation, the first question is not "what loves people?", but "what loves God."  Then the second in people.  

And I love the reminder that our stories matter.  Her story is still being told.  Tell your story.  Those people that you influence may tell your story.  Those that see your story and hear your story may share it.

The gospel is good news.  Good news we are invited to join in.  Good news we live in.  Good news that forms our stories.  

Stories we share because we love God and Jesus with everything we have.  Stories that we share because we love others.  

Stories that we share to announce the good news in our world.    

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM