Scripture

Our verse for today comes from John 12:7, ” Jesus replied, ‘Let her alone. She did it in preparation for my burial.’ “

Background

When I tell you that there’s a website for anything you could ever possibly think of, I’m fairly confident that you already realize that. So I’m not going to try to amaze or shock you by listing some of the sites that are one click away. But one that I did happen upon is called LifeBeforeDeath.com. On this website, you are given access to tools and ideas to map out the celebration at the end of your life before it’s too late. The black background of the web pages is set against rainbows, blue skies, and even floating coffins with smiley faces on them. There are links to create your own funeral playlist of music, a page to write things to people that you wished you had said, a spot to make out your bucket list of must-do activities, philosophical quotes about death, creative coffin ideas submitted by participants in a ” Happy Coffin ” contest, and even outfit suggestions to go out in style. It’s one organization’s attempt to remove some of the dread and regret from those who may be passing on, or those who may be close to losing someone

Application

Mary had learned the hard way. I had never made the connection between how distraught she was over Lazarus’ death sometime earlier and the way she lavished her love on Jesus by anointing His feet with the expensive perfume. She may have had so much regret over unexpressed emotions for her brother that she vowed to not let that happen with her Lord. Whatever the motivation, Mary was determined not to make the same mistake twice. You’ve got your own bottle of costly oil or valuable possession. It may not be as tangible as Mary’s, but there is much you have to give. What you’re enjoying now in place of giving to Him won’t do much to ease your mind when the time comes. We shouldn’t live from fear or act out of guilt, but love should constrain us to do for Him above ourselves. It could be with a family member or someone whose place used to be much closer to your heart than it is now. Whatever the case, don’t let the time slip by.

Charge

As we seek Him today, make sure that you reach tonight not needing to go back and start today over.