While I was driving home from work today, I was reminded of two stories. The first one is the woman in Luke 7 and the other one is Elisabeth Elliot.
Early in my life, I found myself relating to the woman in Luke. I wasn’t a prostitute as theologians depict her. But let’s save that story for another day. There were images of her in my mind that simply broke me to pieces. I’ve been in dark and shady places that I’m not proud of. I’ve been the one that people around town talked about. She was somebody’s daughter. Maybe she was a sister or even an aunt.
Elisabeth Elliot was the epitome of Jesus with skin on. If you aren’t familiar with her story, go straight to Barnes and Noble or wherever you purchase books and buy “Becoming Elisabeth Elliot” by Ellen Vaughn. Her husband, Jim, was killed by an indigenous tribe in the Amazon in 1956. Elisabeth proceeded to go and live among those same people so she could tell them about Jesus. Who does that?! (Did I mention she also had a 10 month old daughter at the time?)
Sometimes the oil in our alabaster jar of praise comes from wrongs that have been done to us. There was evil that permeated our soul and threatened to snuff us out. Other times it comes from self-inflicted wounds, wrong decisions; basically sin.
I admire both of these women. The woman from Luke brought all of her shame, regret, embarrassment, and fear to Jesus. Elisabeth brought all of her anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, and grief to Jesus. They both found exactly what they needed. Just Jesus.
When I pondered both of these stories for a few minutes I found myself fighting back tears. (Well, I didn’t actually fight them; they just fell.) Why are we so quick to worry about what the world thinks of us? Just go fall at his feet! Now! And why are we so adamant about holding tightly to anger and not extending forgiveness?
Trust that He can and will handle it. I’m still working on it. But He hasn’t failed me yet.
Psalm 25:2 ~ O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.