Broken and Spilled Out

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘When Mary of Bethany “broke the flask . . . of very costly oil . . . and poured it on [Jesus’] head,” it was an act for which no one else saw any special occasion; in fact, “. . . there were some who . . . said, ’Why was this fragrant oil wasted?’ ” (Mark 14:3-4). But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said, “. . . wherever this gospel is preached . . . what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9). Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did— not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. God poured out the life of His Son “that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him?

“He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”— and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break “the flask” of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?’ CHAMBERS

 Have you ever felt the urge to abandon all ‘common sense’ and conventional wisdom to follow the leading of God?  To obey the prompting of the Spirit to pour your life out for others. Over the years I have had had numerous people say ‘I would love to do what you and Martie are doing and would, if it were not for ……” You can fill in the blank.  My thought was, why don’t you?

 

Matthew 14:26,28-29  And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, […]  (28)  And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."  (29)  So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

 

Have you ever thought about the fact that all of the disciples were in the boat, but only Peter got out?  What were the others thinking?  “Get out of the boat!  Are you crazy! “  Would God really ask me to risk everything for Him?  Let’s think about that.  He said to trust Him and not yourself.  He said to offer yourself as a living sacrifice.  He said not to love the world or the things of this world.  He said you can’t love both Him and money.  He said that the one who would save his life will lose it and the one who loses his life for His sake will save it.  Do you see a common thread here?

 

So what is the problem?  It’s a problem of not having spiritual perspective … it’s a problem concerning the devotion of  your heart … Does that sound harsh?  Not everyone is called to drastic things  … such as selling all you have and following Jesus to some other place or culture.  Some are.  But all of us are called to forsake our devotion to our culture and comfort and look to the needs that are all around us.  Our life of faith is not to be buried in the ground to wait for our home going or the Lord’s return, but it is to be multiplied as we pour ourselves out for Him .. where ever it is the He has planted us.

 

Yield to the Spirit’s call. Say yes to God.  Let God use you for whatever purpose He has created you.  Get out of the boat, break the flask and let your light shine before all men.

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)