Captivation and hunger stirred inside a young girl and from this deep unanswered yearning she cried out for more.
This 12 year olds name was Mary. She had a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus. When He visited her home, she ran to His feet as if He were a familiar friend.
When Jesus was at the cross, being denied by close friends, Mary ran to Jesus’ feet yet again and broke a very expensive jar of perfume and spilt it all over His feet. This was her way of expressing the love, gratitude and absolute honor Jesus deserves.
Many were arguing and yelling at what they thought was an outrage; a waste of a year’s wages. While this was her offering, her highest and best, to show the irreplaceable value only Jesus deserves.
Mary understood the Gospel.
When I think about Jesus dying, I often imagine a flipbook. A series of pictures flashing before His eyes. The babies born, the victories won, the horrendous battles; all the while the smell of a sweet fragrance blowing through the cold air. With every gust of wind, the reminder of perfume lingers. She was one of the ones who understood why Jesus came to the Earth.
Last week’s shooting in Las Vegas made me think. Firstly, of the lives that were unnecessarily taken. Secondly, how heartbreaking this tragedy is for friends and family. Lastly, of the many who are likely to blame or doubt Gods Father-heart nature or even existence.
From the deepest wellsprings; I hear the silent, devastating cries; “Where is God in the midst of all of this!” That same hunger and desperation experienced by Mary, is stirring deeply within many. Yet we are struggling to understand it.
Genesis 1:2 reads “The Earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”
Before the Earth existed, He was there. I can only imagine the anticipation and excitement He felt as He hovered, knowing and seeing the full picture unfold before His eyes.
Immediately He said, “let there be light” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. He literally spoke goodness in to the Earth.
As we listen to the news, or scroll our Facebook feed, it can feel as though we are surrounded by darkness. But spoken into our very being is light, that represents goodness. While many were standing before the crucifixion confused, accusing the Son of God of being a blasphemous lier, Mary understood. With everything within her, she brought her very best.
We cannot be naive or deny we are experiencing terrible times, but we can be like Mary and run to the heart of Jesus and offer everything we have. Whether it’s the prayers, the cries, or showing the absolute love He has for all His children. With the goodness spoken in to our very being, we can transform lives.
Let’s not stand intimidated, only seeing emptiness and darkness. Let’s choose to see Gods spirit hovering over the water. Like that first breathe, goodness is still in the land of the living.
Rebecca Bowie is a young Christian who is intentionally seeking after Gods heart and striving to love people with everything. Now living in Brisbane Australia, was formerly living in London, England. She's a full-time volunteer at Youth with a Mission.
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