The Beginning

Today is the day that I start my beginning.   I am stepping out.  Totally freaking out, but doing it anyway!  I am going step out of fear and into boldness.  Stepping out of the darkness of my doubts into the light of God's promises.   This is about obedience and putting into action all that God has been doing in my life and speaking to my heart.


I have allowed people and circumstances to take my voice and my confidence...no more!  I am not perfect and have made my share of mistakes.  I am no longer going to live there in my head or my heart.  God said that each morning is new and we have His grace and mercy!  I am going to once walk in the confidence of who I am in Him and not by what others have put on me!


When our family was living in Outer Banks, North Carolina.  I shared a message when Jesus was anointed by the sinful woman in Luke 7.  God has been reminding me of that story and I learned through that studying and sharing that story. 


   A Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner and they were all eating.  In comes this woman who, vs. 37, says "lived a sinful life in that town".  So, you know that everyone knew her and what she did.  I admire the chutzpah (Yiddish for strength, confidence, gutsy)  she had to walk in that room.   Take a moment to really think about what that moment was like for her.  It was custom for Pharisees to open their house to the poor so they could sit and listen to the conversation.  Women were serving or eating in a different room.  It was probably easy enough to get in, but I can only imagine the stares and whispers she had to endure as she walked up to Jesus.


She went in past everyone who was no doubt judging her and began to pour out her love to Jesus.  "And as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears.  Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them" vs. 38.  There's a lot going on with the Pharisee and the whole mind-reading thing, but let's stay focused on the woman.  


In vs. 44 - 49: Jesus turns to the woman, I love this part!  It gives me goose bumps!!  There she emotionally spent having just not only muster the courage to walk in that house, but from weeping and expressing her love and gratitude.  She was blotchy, puffy eyed, snotty and her hair was a mess!  HE TURNS TO HER!!  The God of the all heaven and earth turns and, I imagine, lifts her head and tells her   that her sins are forgiven. Insert gasps, murmurs and disbelief from the crowd.  He accepted her and her gift.  Then in vs. 50 Jesus says to "Go in peace".  That word peace means: quietness, rest, set at one again, wholeness and prosperity.


As Jesus looked in the eyes her shame lifted.  As He spoke forgiveness peace settled on her, maybe her tears slowed and she got the hiccups.  As He spoke peace she breathed deeply and stood taller.  The impact of those were life changing for her as well as for us.  After all the chaos and turmoil we are offered quietness and wholeness.


Quietness in the struggle that we are no longer defined by our past and that our future is the hands of the Living, Loving God!  Our wholeness comes from having a relationship with the One who promised that He will finish what He started.  He asks for obedience to the next thing He brings to my attention.


We never know her name or what happened after her encounter, but I know for myself that God requires me to walk out what He shows me.  I imagine it being no different for her.  She had to change her lifestyle and source of income.  Even when people treated her the same as before and expected her to be the same, she had to walk out her new life.  Financially and emotionally it cost her a lot to go to Jesus in that house, but it continued to cost her everyday.  


My prayer for each of us that we allow God to see our brokenness, that we will humble ourselves in worship and step out in obedience.  


Let today be your beginning!


xoxo ~ Jodi