“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…” Philippians 3:7-8
I unclenched my jaw as the awareness that our future intentions were not to be. My husband and I reeled after swift and unexpected changes in finances rendered our next steps simply undone. Unpacking, readjusting, and loosening our grip on our plans felt heartbreaking.
I began to ask the Lord to search my heart. Where was my treasure really found? In a set of perfect plans, a property, or my purposes? In the pretense of earthly wealth? Leaning into God in the difficult places felt like the only way forward. In doing so, he softened my heart to see that giving up my will for his way was the only path to bring more of Him into my life.
In John 12, we read the story of Jesus anointed at Bethany. It is a profound display of love at a pivotal moment in Jesus’ earthly ministry. Mary, just days before the Passover and Jesus’ impending death, brought her best to Jesus. Scripture tells us that “Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair” (John 12:3, NIV).
The uncertainty of the unfolding events and prophecy being fulfilled would have made it easy to hide away and hold tightly to earthly security. To simply wait until the chaos ended would have made sense. Mary, however, did not run away. She ran to Jesus. And she brought her everything; her best. When everything looked like it was falling apart, she knew where her future lay.
While those in the room may have missed the significance of what was happening, Jesus did not. Some scholars interpret the expensive jar of nard to be Mary’s dowry – a hope of a future and a marriage. Either way, we see that this jar was of great value. Mary gave up what mattered most to gain that which she could not lose, namely, a deeper intimacy with Jesus.
Mary’s act of love was a symbol of a life poured out to Jesus. While we give our lives and trust our future to Jesus, he will use them to bless others. It is from this place that he calls us to live. Whatever it is he is asking us to give up, he will always be of greater value. In God’s Kingdom, Jesus is always worth the loss.
Prayer:
Jesus, we confess that we often hold on to earthly things. May your love outweigh everything else. As we seek to follow you, help us to lay down our lives and receive your love, because it is more than enough to carry us through. Like Mary, may we completely trust you with our future.
About the Author:
Kristen Schweers is a disciple, lifelong learner, and educator who loves encouraging others with the written word.
