I was planning on going a different direction this week, but I couldn’t shake our devotion from last week. So if you will indulge me once more, I am compelled to go deeper inside Mary’s alabaster box.

The depth and richness of her story summons my full attention. I want to know her. Talk to her. Ask her questions—questions she may not even know the answers to. Even so, I bet our hearts would connect and lock in sync as all honest, open, and real conversations tend to do.

Although Mary’s story is one of sweet sacrifice and intense devotion, we must not ignore the controversy she amassed. First, she was a woman, and she broke protocol by inserting herself into the fray of the men-only dinner gathering. Then, she proceeded to make a display of total abandon. In that day, this kind of behavior from a woman was shunned. Her actions were thought reckless and wasteful.

Ironically, in her posture of humility, she took a stand.

I wonder what she was thinking? If she was thinking at all? Did she calculate the cost? Or did the weight of her devotion propel her beyond conscious thought? Perhaps, aware of her fears and doubts, she said, “I have to do this anyway.”

Have you ever lived like that? Loved like that? Held something so deeply in your core that it demanded to be acknowledged and bestowed, regardless the cost?

Her story is one of abandon. Great and glorious abandon. And like so many of the accounts throughout scripture, there are parallel forces at play—physical and spiritual. For example, incense is very significant in the Bible in both domains. It was used in the Old Testament tabernacle on the Altar of Incense as an offering of devotion and was physically sacrificed twice a day. It was a visual reminder to the people that their prayers ascended to God in the same way the smoke rose to the heavens (Psalm 141:2).

What Mary did here was similar, illustrating how the physical reveals the spiritual. Physically, when the perfume was expelled from the alabaster box, the scent filled the house and aroused the senses of all in attendance. The pleasing aroma not only filled the house, but it filled the spiritual atmosphere as well—filling the spaces of heaven as she anointed the ultimate sacrifice.

I wonder what the heavens looked like at that moment. Was there a clash of pleasure and pain that caused time to stand still? Were spiritual beings aware of the significance about to ensue? Or was it a precious and private moment between God and His Son?

Although God doesn’t necessarily call us to do great things, we do have a responsibility to heed His call to abandon self, to bow our heads and bend our knees, to pour out our hearts and our lives. This is a brave act of worship. To empty our alabaster boxes for Him.

Is God calling you to pour out something of yourself? If so, you might have to battle the war within. The conflict of giving all you have in utter abandon, and fearing you will be left with nothing.

People may judge you, mock you, or worse, label you a fool. Regardless of what other people think, when you pour out your heart to Him, He will be your refuge (Psalm 62:8). You have something this world needs, and maybe more importantly, needs to see. What you have is for a purpose, not for safe-keeping. It’s time to break open your alabaster box.

Commit yourself to this crucible moment, and you will emerge differently. In homage to Mary’s example, and like our scripture verse implores, spending ourselves is often the catalyst for the divine pendulum to swing in a different direction. One that brings light to our darkness. Joy to our sadness. Hope to our desperation.

Reflect and Respond:

Can you see yourself in Mary? Do you want to spend yourself in sacred abandon? Is there something God has been calling you to do, but you haven’t because the cost seems too high?

Let me encourage you this week to spend some time in prayer and consider what you have to give. Talents. Time. Faith. Words of salt and light. Forgiveness. Love.

What is in your alabaster box?

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as you spend yourself in sacred abandon.

Scriptures:

Psalm 141:2; May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Psalm 62:8; Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.