“The Spirit of the Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good
news to the poor.” (Isaiah 61:1)
You are probably thinking we just read this why are we back on Isaiah 61:1 and the
answer is simple. The word of God has so many beautiful gems and meanings that we
can’t just go chapter by chapter or even transition from number by number but the goal
is to pick it apart piece by piece and meditate on the words written. The authors of these
books are in the bible meticulously picked these words to draw us in but also to reflect
on other verses that God gave other authors. The word I want to focus on is Anointed.
When I was growing up I didn’t understand the importance of this word and how it not
only applied to people I looked up to but that I was anointed by God to do something
that no one else was chosen to do.
Growing up I had the privilege of serving and being mentored by some amazing men
and women of God at my home church, but even outside my church, I loved listening to
ministers and inspirational speakers online and reading books by authors that inspired
me to do more and go deeper into my relationship with God. Some of those people
included Bethany Hamilton, Christine Caine, Banning Liebscher, and other speakers
that had an anointing to share the word of God and share the good news to people all
over the world. To this day I enjoy listening to speakers and hearing their hearts and
passions to change the world and to give wisdom in areas I’m still learning myself. But
little did I realize until later that Jesus has called all of us to do great things and to bring
life and good news wherever we are and whatever we are doing. One of my favorite
stories is found in Matthew 26:6-13 and it talks about Jesus Anointed at Bethany.
When I read this passage about this woman it made me want to dig deeper into her
story and how what she did was so beautiful not only because it was in the bible and
noticed by Jesus but that she gave her all because she was anointed-called to do this
selfless thing and to this day this is how she will be remembered. Back then this
ointment in an alabaster jar was very expensive and rare to own and it would have cost
about five hundred shekels which in money now would have been about one hundred
and fifty-five dollars. Oil represents the presents and power of the Holy Spirit and when
this woman anointed Jesus with it she was showing that the power of the Holy Spirit
was on Jesus. She chose to give all that she had with no context of who Jesus was but
because of the prompting of the Holy Spirit she didn’t just obey the calling but she gave
her all. She could have ignored the prompting and used the oil for her financial safety
but she felt it was worthy to give it all away and because of that Jesus recognized it to
all his followers and said, “Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the
whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
When I look back at my life I can remember when Jesus started speaking to me and
putting things on my heart and some made sense and others did not. Some have come
true and others are still yet to be fully known or used yet, but I’m sure this is how that
woman felt when she began to feel the Holy Spirit prompt her to do something that
seemed so uncomfortable or that didn’t make sense but I love how even though
hesitation in our lives that we cannot shut out what God has put there. Having an
anointing is powerful and impactful but we must rely on the Holy Spirit to tell us when to
begin the process of exercising that calling. We have a choice to either use the gift
given or ignore it. When others say you have a calling or a passion I believe it is a
desire from God through the Holy Spirit giving you a hint or sign to begin looking into
and praying about why it continues to come up or why others see it in you but you
cannot. I couldn’t imagine myself speaking in front of others or even sharing my writings
but I choose to obey and because of it I am slowly but surely understanding why God
put that in my heart over and over again. This was not a coincident or an accident this
was on purpose an anointing uncovering. This story has so much tucked into it and this
story of this woman with the alabaster jar of oil has so much to inspire us, challenge us,
and encourage us to listen to the Holy Spirit. She came to Jesus and recognized that
she has to surrender her uncomfortable feeling, give up desires, and face reticule to
fulfill her calling. We all will face discomfort and reticule when making this decision but
how fulfilling was the outcome just by obeying.
The alabaster jar of oil was expensive and could have given her beautiful world things
and safety in these hard times and she wouldn’t have had to go to Jesus but she
decided to use it all for Him because she was driven with passion, calling, and the
prompting that there is something greater than desires of this world. And lastly, in
scripture, it didn’t say she came and gave the jar to Jesus but she “Poured Out” and I
think it was symbolic of her pouring out her all and that is what Jesus did for us He
poured out all for us with.
You have been anointed to do many things and one of my favorite things to do is to
pour out encouragement through my disability. It is a calling that I can’t hide or try to
keep in my jar, but it’s through the Holy Spirit that I can do what I say and write on paper
and blog. This women’s story has such an impact that it made it into the Bible to remind
us of so many things but one thing I take away from this is that God anointed her to do
this one thing and what a beautiful impact it made on the disciples and generations after
generations that we too still remember her desire and obedience to pour it all out.
Do you set aside time to listen for the Holy Spirit promptings?
Listen for the Holy Spirit to prompt your heart to guide you.
Are there things in your life right now that you just can’t stop thinking or striving for that
you just want to pour your time and resources in?
What things can you pour out today for others?
Reflect on these questions and remember that you have an anointing and you are
called to do amazing things.
(Alabaster Heart-By Bethel Music and Kalley Heiligenthal)
Can I simply say what a relief to uncover someone who really understands what they are discussing on the internet. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people ought to look at this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe you arent more popular since you certainly have the gift.