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I am completely crazy about cool jewelry, so when the Lord prompted me to take off my favorite necklace and give it to the woman who had just admired it, I tried to pretend I did not hear Him.
“It’s mine, God!” I reasoned. “It isn’t replaceable! Why would ask me to do that?”
My self-plan did not like the God-plan laid out before me. God was asking me to give up something that meant a lot to me so that another woman could be blessed. It seemed crazy. Unnecessary. However, in this instance, through the strength of Christ, I chose to obey even though I did not want too. It hurt. It cost me big. I felt the loss.
God softened my childish heart, however, as the woman wept at the Lord’s blessing. As I silently confessed my selfish thoughts, God poured a deep joy into my soul. He showed me that my sacrifice was an act of worship to Him. Blessings boomeranged right back to my heart as I humbly thanked Him for allowing me to participate in His moment with her. It was a beautiful thing.
There are just times when I would rather give gifts that don’t cost me too much. That is probably something that only I wrestle with, right? (Wink! Wink!) It is hard to be open handed with things that we hold dear, isn’t it? Some of us struggle with an unwillingness to give away material things or money. Others hold tightly to our schedules, our affections, or our availability while still others try to keep a tight reign on our children, grandchildren, spouses, parents or other people in our life.
God must have known we would struggle with this because His Word addresses this issue and shows us a beautiful picture of surrendered devotion in Mary of Bethany. The offering she poured out onto the feet of Jesus was worth a year’s wages. She lavished her costly perfume, her attention, her affection, her time and her worship on Jesus because she loved Him. He was her Savior. Her Friend. Her Hope. The Healer who had miraculously brought life back to the stench of death that had fallen on her brother Lazarus.
“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:6-13, NIV)
The Message version says it this way: “She has just done something wonderfully significant for me.” (Matthew 26:10)
When I read this story, I am compelled to wonder if God sees a beautiful thing when He looks at my life. Does He see me do anything that is wonderfully significant for Him?
What do you think He sees when he looks at your life?
Does He see a beautiful thing?
The more time we spend with God and reading His Word, the more beautiful our life will become. Therefore, here is my challenge to you: I challenge you to commit 15 minutes a day to God for one week. Just one week. Can you do that? Read a chapter in the Psalms and spend time in prayer each day for seven days. Make the sacrifice. If you already have a disciplined quiet time, I challenge you to add 15 minutes of prayer time. It will be a beautiful thing to both you and God.
When we open the hands of our lives to His presence, to His service and for His glory, rest assured God will see a beautiful thing. When we obey His promptings and listen to His voice that whispers to our soul, He will fill us to overflowing with joy, peace, satisfaction and His beauty.
Listen to the song, Something Beautiful, that Gwen co-wrote when wrestling with and praying through this passage of Scripture. Let her song be the springboard for your time in prayer today…
Dear God, You are worth far more praise than I could ever give. Please help me to rest in Your presence and trust in Your plan. Fill me with Your perspective until I joyfully lay down my will for Yours. Lord, when You look at my life, I want You to see beautiful. In Jesus’s name, amen.
REFLECT & RESPOND: Will you commit to an extra 15 minutes a day for the next week? Leave a comment below with a response to this post or with a declaration, “I’m in for 15!”
Every beautiful act of worship begins with the heart. If you would like to learn more about how your brokenness can be transformed into a picture of God’s beauty, order my book Broken Into Beautiful. This resource will help you experience the power of hope, healing and restoration!
Comments 38
I’m in for 15…..I’m trying to give unattainable expectations of others.
Yes i am for 15
As usual you have me in tears, wanting more!! They’re good tears…tears that long to be enough for Christ and knowing how much I fail….on my own!! Knowing it doesn’t matter how broken and imperfect I am it’s always so hard to feel enough….but Gwen you always find a way to touch my heart in spoken word and music to remind me broken is beautiful to God and He will use me in spite of my brokenness…..or because of my brokenness! Thank you Gwen…I’m in for 15!! Love and Blessings……Tammy
I’m in for 15! Your song is beautiful and a blessing!
Thank you Gwen, such a Beautiful Song! You are a beautiful person! I want to be a beautiful person that God sees!
Hi Gwen this song is something beautiful and i would love to purchase your book but ive not got the money to do so . But keep being a blessing with your music and books .
Thank you Gwen, you are a Beautiful Person – I want the Lord to see me as a beautiful person! Such a lovely song!
I already have your book Brokrn into Beautiful and keep getting distracted from reading it. Now I listened to your song and it’s beautiful. I need to commit 15 minutes a day. I want to try. I confess my laziness.
I am committing to spend 15 More minutes a day seeking to be more and more like the Lord of my life… May I truly be beautiful in His eyes!!!!
I’m in for 15
I am in for 15❤️
I am in for 15 !! I need more grace from the Holy Spirit. It’s so easy to get distracted when trying to spend time with Jesus! ! I love the song!!
I am in for 15 !! I need more grace from the Holy Spirit. It’s so easy to get distracted when trying to spend time with Jesus! !
I want to bring a young Muslim man to Jesus but he is very resistant to this. I am going to give him a little silver C ross and hope he accepts as he can be very bold.I ask that you pray fervently that I can do Something Beautiful for God!
I’m in for 15.
Awesome awesome song Gwen. I wanna spend enough time with my Lord. I wanna bring aomething beautiful for himz
I’m in for 15
Thank you, Gwen, for the beautiful song which you wrote and sang. It’s inspired me to seek God’s will each day, a day at a time, and to praise and pray more. I will give 15 more minutes to my time with Him each day to bless, praise and worship the Lord for what He’s doing in my life and in other’s lives.
God bless you & your ministry.
I’m in for 15 minutes in the evening before going to sleep. I need to keep my mind on the Lord instead of my self so that when I wake up in the morning am thinking of Jesus!
I’m in for 15 🕆❤
What a lovely song! And a lovely voice.
I needed to hear that right now! Thank you!
I’m in for 15
I’m in for 15.. This song really touched my heart today. Made me think am I really doing enough for my beautiful lord!! Thank you for making me reflect on myself..
I’m in for 15.
I’m in for 15!
Beautiful song! the devotion was something I needed to hear. Thank you
im in for 15
“Something Beautiful” is the most beautiful, thoughtful, insightful song I’ve heard in so very long…….
15″ more for me
Thank you
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
I am in for 15
Dear Gwen, as I opened my phone email, this message met me right where my stirring heart was. I embraced the tears of Joy and Comfort as the words of your Song, ever gently moved me from self, discouragement and found His Grace meet my heart at the intersection of His Amazing Grace, yielding my neediness to His will, getting “it” seeing that I truly want Jesus to witness something “beautiful” for Him!! Thank You Gwen, your words took me from discouragement to Yielding my “stirring” spirit to His gentle touch of Grace, releasing my lacking to seeking to do Something “Beautiful” for Him. Bless You
Laura G.
I’m in for 15 more beautiful min. with God💖
I’m in for 15!😍
I was lying in bed and suddenly your devotional hit my email – audibly. It was a little after five this morning, but I’ve come to know and understand that when these moments arise God has wants my attention, and so I give it willingly. I was blessed by your testimony! It seems that people don’t give like that anymore. It’s a shame because it blesses so many – the receiver, the giver, and God. I too want to do something beautiful. I have been inspired to be more conscious and aware of how God wants to use me…Thank you so much for allowing God to use you in your unselfish giving, your writing, and your beautiful song, which added a special blessing to my morning! God bless you Gwen.
Sincerely,
Mary
I’m in for 15min
I’m in for 15!
I’m in for 15
I’m in for 15! ❤️