Right now I’m reading Cast of Characters by Max Lucado. There’s a chapter on the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with her tears. In that story, Jesus says that she loves much because she had been forgiven much. I’ve always read that as – “If you have sinned a lot, you’ll be able to love God more.” Max put a different spin on it. He suggested it has more to do with this verse: “We love because he first loved us.” Or-to the extent that we allow ourselves to receive his love, we are able to love (others, and Him).
So that’s my encouragement for US ALL. As pastors (and that’s what you all are, regardless of whether you get paid for it) one of the hardest things we have to do is take care of ourselves. When’s the last time you sat alone in God’s presence for more than 10 minutes with NO agenda (no teaching to make . . ). When’s the last time you read the Bible…for yourself?? When’s the last time you listened to a teaching, or read a book, to minister just to you?
I am feeling challenged by God that I need to receive his love. My prayer is that I DO NOT become like Simon in this story-a worker for God who’s heart has been hardened, for whom its just business now. And that I become more like the woman (no laughter please) who’s profound recognition of her utter need for Jesus opened the doors of her heart wide to receive God’s overflowing love.
Let’s make a goal this week: receive.