Photo of stained glass found on the internet
In Matthew 26: 6 the story is told of a woman who interrupted a feast attended by Jesus. Her objective was to pour out very expensive perfume from an alabaster jar onto his head (other accounts tell of her spilling it on his feet as well, and wiping them with her hair). The disciples criticized this gesture. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
They were right. That perfume was worth a great deal. Couldn't she have accomplished more by not wasting it on a passing gesture, and instead have used the money for making a difference in the lives of the needy?
Jesus responded, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me."
It suddenly dawned on me that Jesus appreciated beauty when it was created as a gesture of love. Be it a musical offering, a work of art, or a piece of writing done in appreciation of God, the talent, time and effort are not wasted. Michaelangelo's four years spent on that scaffolding, painting a ceiling, were given to honor God. Many others have given of a grateful and worshiping heart in other ways. The fact that they produced a work of art while Mother Teresa produced a practical work of kindness, does not make one worth more or less than the other.
I'm glad. I'm glad that the gorgeous architecture, soul-filling music, wondrous art and inspiring music created in honor of God are offerings that He appreciates. I'm glad that creative people with full and grateful hearts continue to do beautiful things for Him, things that bless the rest of us in ways that the "practical" service never could. They provide such a rich world of devotion, and ways of knowing God that we would otherwise not have.
"Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13
No comments:
Post a Comment