Quote for Contemplation


The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work & prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. -Samuel Chadwick




Friday 20 July 2012

I want to be the woman....

I want to be the woman who came to Jesus' feet.
Who didn't look at her surroundings, the distractions & the critical peeps
Who didn't count the cost of the purfume or the criticism.
Whose open weeping & repentance showed acute awareness of her spiritual state she was in.
Who was forgiven in full, saved through faith, sent in peace.
A woman who left with riches no one could seize.
A beautiful woman.

Luke 7:36-50 relays the 'story' of this woman, an obviously well-known "sinner" to the religious hierarchy of the day. I read it this morning with fresh eyes & found myself envious of her simple act that is so profound. Today, I am thoroughly weary. I long to just stop. The next act of service & kind word & even genuine prayer doesn't come easily. My heart has been slowly bound by the thinnest threads of resentment, hurt, exhaustion, distraction & complacency. On a day like today, I long to be like that woman who simply falls to the feet of Jesus, giving him everything & arises a new creation. Refreshed, renewed.