I actually borrowed the title of today’s entry from the last chapter of a book I just finished called, “Passion for Jesus”. It was a wonderful read, and I passed it on to a friend as soon as I finished. Back to the title line; “Wasting your Life on Jesus . . .”  – such a beautiful phrase that makes our flesh uncomfortable- so deep, and meaty. It’s something I’ve been accused of before using a different choice of words . It is a humble honor. Has anyone ever told you that you are “wasting your life” or that your life is being lived “in vain” because you are not doing what the world or much of the church expects? Because you have vowed to your Heavenly Father to NOT compromise His perfect plan that He has revealed to your heart? Because you believe Him when He said that obedience is better than sacrifice, and you are committed to obeying Him? Have you stood waiting, watching, seemingly alone, seeing no sign of hope (remember that real hope is not seen-Romans 8:24)?

If this is you today, allow me to re-introduce you to a woman who loved Jesus and wasted herself on Him.  Her name is Mary.  Mary of Bethany. Days before Jesus was to be crucified for her sins, my sins and yours, he was anointed with perfume that was of great worth. This beautiful act of servant love was done by Mary. She served Jesus in a different way than her sister, Martha. She wasn’t busy getting the dinner prepared or making sure everything was just right for company. She just wanted to sit at Jesus’ feet and bless Him as He had surely blessed her. Many see this as selfish. I see it as the kind of heart God works in and the life He works through. If we do not spend time at His feet, communing with Him, blessing Him with our worship, pouring our most prized possessions upon His heart, how can we ever become more like Him? Martha definitely had an important job, and we should never overlook her act of service, but we also must remember that “heart service” is more valuable to God than “law service”. I believe that looking at the two sisters, we can find an example of a good balance in our spiritual lives. 

Mary prepared her Lord for burial and she most likely did not even know it, until He said the words. She took what would have probably been her only asset- her only hope for future security and poured it out on Jesus! Wow! What if every professing Christian did that today? Can you imagine how beautiful the Bride of Christ would shine? I believe this is God’s dream for the church. Oh, how I long to fulfill the dreams of His heart! No one commended Mary for what she did except Jesus Himself. In fact, they criticized her and named some things she could have done with this expensive perfume that seemed more logical. But, notice that Jesus jumped to her defense, and He promised that wherever the Gospel is taught, she will be remembered. 

Are people who observing your lifestyle, perhaps even loved ones, looking at you, shaking their heads in disgust? Are they naming a list of very practical, very sensible things you ”should” be doing rather than allowing God control of your life and your love story? Do these things sometimes cause doubt to rise within you that you are being too radical for Christ? Take heart, precious sister. Do not grow weary in doing good. Pray for the faith of Abraham that was accounted unto him as righteousness. . . and remember Mary. Remember how she “wasted” something very special on Jesus. Remember how she was criticized, but also remember how Jesus came to defend her. He is our strong tower and defender! I can’t imagine anything more beautiful to Him than seeing His children pour out their dreams at His feet, along with the expectation that He will give them back after we lay them down. Is there anyone else out there that yearns along with me to pour out everything before the Lord for no other reason than HE IS WORTHY and HE IS KING and HE IS THE LOVER OF OUR SOUL? It won’t be easy and we won’t even be able to accomplish it in our own strength, but if we ask Him, He’ll renew our heart yet again. Sometimes, we have to “pour out” on a regular basis, because our flesh tends to try and take back what our spirit longs to give completely to Jesus. Be encouraged today that your Heavenly Bridegroom delights in you! He rejoices over you with singing! And He longs for you to waste yourself at His precious feet, where He will defend, protect, and commune with you.

*Below is an excerpt from Leah Cross’s blog, beautifully written by her (except the last verses in bold). I thought it would fit well here, as we’ve talked about pouring out all of ourselves on a regular basis to gain more of Him.

“I held something so precious in my hands. Many times I would offer it up on the altar for God . . only to snatch it back soon afterwards. Smiling down at me as His child, he gazed into my eyes and looked into the depths of my heart. “My daughter, please give this to me entirely. I want to give you that which is far above what you would expect. It may not happen how you want it to happen and it may not be that which you thought it would be, but I promise my child to give you nothing but my best for your life, so that you may in return glorify me more fully. I am God alone. I can and will do that which is exceedingly, abundantly above all you could ever ask or think. This may cost you pain, but you are you willing to even endure extreme pain for my sake and for my glory?” With tear stained eyes, I finally released and surrendered what I previously thought was so wonderful … and I got ALL of HIM instead.”

“Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne. Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store. Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.”

               *~*~*~*~*

“Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside; So enchained my spirit’s vision, Looking at the Crucified.”