This is the second email I sent over the holidays, they just get better :)
How this whole thing got started;
My landlord, Jordan, out of kindness and affection for my family, "gifted" us with free rent for December!! After picking myself up off the floor, I immediately began to think of all the things this would enable me to do for others as well as my family this Christmas. Everywhere I went, to anyone who would listen, I shared the story! Truly, I am still in awe!!
A few days later I came across "the book", mentioned in my prior email, and decided to take it on my trip with me, almost for old times sake. By the time I landed in NYC, I was sure God wanted me to use this money for a Kingdom Assignment of my own but I wasn't sure who, or what, but the seed had been planted and I began praying. Well, by the time I left NY 33 hrs later, it was clear, I intended to choose 16 people, family and friends, and challenge you with a "KA" of your own I could not contain my excitement. I love Mother Theresa's quote, "we cannot all do great things, but we can all do small things with great love", and I actually try to be purposeful about living this way, but, this was big, and God wanted to use me, neat! And to get to include people I love, and us work together, in all parts of the US, for the greater good, for God's Kingdom, cool beans!!!
I spoke with many of you before sending the original email, and, the "KA" buzz was having the desired effect, mostly. Two people in my 16 actually felt like it was a good idea but that to be respectful to my landlord, I should consider doing the assignment in part and keeping part, as it's original intention was to bless "my" family. These thoughts were well intended and I considered them, I am human, and $1600 is a lot of money! The following Saturday evening I went with the kids to church and unknowingly the entire service was a Christmas musical. The musical was quite good but as the time passed I found myself leafing through my Bible and came across some notes I had taken at our church in Austin the prior Feb.The teaching was on Mary, the friend of Jesus, taken from Matthew 26:6-13, in which she annoints Jesus with with the oil from her alabaster jar. Follow along as I share some of the points as it ultimately concerns you, and, the Word never disappoints!
First, the incredible cost. The historical analysis equates the oil to 300 days wages, it was VERY expensive. And, it was more than just financial, this money was likely her dowry money her parents had saved up for her wedding. In that culture a woman's dowry was equivalent to "a woman's treasure", her identity was wrapped up with her dowry as it was her passage into marriage. The value of this oil to Mary, I believe, cannot be overstated! But the text says, she gave it all!!!!
I thought about the two who had spoken to me that week and how the disciples had responded to her. It occured to me, she could've done what was suggested to me. In other words, she could've given 1/3(100 days wages) to Jesus, given 1/3(100 days wages) to the poor, and kept 1/3(100 days wages) for her dowry, and achieved the same result, some might think even better.
And, more personally, I could have given, say 10 of you, the "KA" , and kept the rest for my family, as intended. I am pretty sure, even with the lesser amount of sacrifice, most of you would've thought, that Terry......
BUT, that's not what Mary did and that's not what I'm going to do either!!!!I like her "radical" sacrifice and believe God is calling me to do the same!
When Jesus rebukes the disciples, telling them not to bother Mary, she has done a beautiful thing to Me. He goes on to say that wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told out of memory for her. What I believe Jesus is communicating here, and throughout the Gospels, is that it's not the financial sum of the gift. Anything we give to the Kingdom is not measured by volume, but by it's sacrifice!Rather than ask how much Mary gave, ask how much Mary gave up!!
I have decided to share this with you not to compare myself with Mary, or inflate myself at all, but to allow you to see the journey God has taken me on since I began the assignment and just maybe, God wants to use the story He spoke to me with your journey also. If you are asking yourself how this applies to me today, maybe a good place to start would be to look into your own heart , your own life and ask God to reveal what your alabaster jar is, your treasure. Know this God could put something "radical" on your heart also, and I for one hope he does!!
Blessings!!!
