Extravagent

When Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus' feet just before his Crucification Judas suggested that the expensive perfume would have been put to better use by being sold and given to the poor. Jesus replied "You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me" (John 12:8). It was extravagant worship on her part; the nard that she poured out was probably her inheritance. She gave all she had.

From the Eternal perspective however, it was barely anything. That doesn't mean that it was despised. Just as parents don't despise the childish drawings, but instead place them on the refrigerator, the Eternal doesn't despise this small gift. He instead, places the act in a place of honor as an act that he encourages us all to emulate.

When He was on with us, it was appropriate to give Him everything, and allow Him to give the five loaves and two fish away. Now that He is not with us, but in our hearts, we still submit our will to His, giving everything that we have to Him, and allow Him to distribute it. The only difference is that now He uses our hands. But are they really our hands, or are we simply His hands extended?

The Life I Lead

The life I lead. The sentence makes me stop to think. What life do I lead? By trade I am a programmer (currently Ruby on Rails). I garden (vegetables). I barbeque (just about anything). I enjoy movies (occasionally). I love my family (my wife, four! kids, and my sister). I study the Bible (currently John 14-17).

But is that the life that I lead? I mean, that's what I do, and how I spend a significant portion of time. But is that really the life that I lead? Am I leading my life, or am I following someone else? Am I blazing a trail for others to follow or am I walking well-trodden paths of old?

I don't know the answers to those questions, and I'm not even sure it matters much. I do know one thing, I love Jesus and I follow Him.