"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
Luke 7:41-47
We cannot look at another person's faith and be judgmental. The way someone worships, prays & draws closer to God is a personal, intimate experience that reflects how much love and grace that person received. This passage in Luke explains this. It reveals that some people will genuinely express gratitude with very little emotion and others will behave like this woman who wouldn't stop kissing Jesus' feet. We glorify Him by fulfilling our design and not conforming to what others expect of us.
I remember a few years ago at midweek service. I was worshiping in the back and saw this woman worshiping quite expressively, almost night-club-ish. It bothered me to the point where my worship was distracted and all my focus directed to her. I kept thinking to myself, why is she dancing like that and shouldn't someone tell her not to? An overwhelming conviction took place. I was reminded that worship has to do with God alone. Yes, others can become a distraction but where was my faith to overcome it? Is my faith paper thin where a breeze could throw it off course? I realized that we are all designed unique and God was taking such pleasure in seeing His child give everything in worship, just like David did. Who was I to hinder God's joy? This was a great lesson in balancing God's Word with individual design and bridging that with Truth.
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me just the way I am. All the imperfections are there so that I can lean on You to work through them. I'm reminded that I'm in a training ground to go into battle. Every day I need to go through obstacles not for the sake of them but so that my faith can grow where I can live faithfully and obediently to Your calling in the world. Help me open my eyes and grant me Your wisdom to know the real race. I love You! In the beautiful name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!
I remember a few years ago at midweek service. I was worshiping in the back and saw this woman worshiping quite expressively, almost night-club-ish. It bothered me to the point where my worship was distracted and all my focus directed to her. I kept thinking to myself, why is she dancing like that and shouldn't someone tell her not to? An overwhelming conviction took place. I was reminded that worship has to do with God alone. Yes, others can become a distraction but where was my faith to overcome it? Is my faith paper thin where a breeze could throw it off course? I realized that we are all designed unique and God was taking such pleasure in seeing His child give everything in worship, just like David did. Who was I to hinder God's joy? This was a great lesson in balancing God's Word with individual design and bridging that with Truth.
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me just the way I am. All the imperfections are there so that I can lean on You to work through them. I'm reminded that I'm in a training ground to go into battle. Every day I need to go through obstacles not for the sake of them but so that my faith can grow where I can live faithfully and obediently to Your calling in the world. Help me open my eyes and grant me Your wisdom to know the real race. I love You! In the beautiful name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!
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