Precious Purpose

 “..there came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.” Matthew 26:7-8, 13 KJV

The story and action of the woman with the alabaster box of very precious ointment teach the importance of divine inspiration towards positive engagement in life. Unfortunately, even the disciples with their closer privileges and revelation about the season could only see a waste in the woman’s engagement. It implies that purposes laced with pleasure and profit-making are usually at tangent with the plan of God. More often than not, precious purposes are borne out of believers’ moment of pain and persecution. For example, the affliction of the children of Israel in the hands of their taskmasters in Egypt offers a resourceful strength and endurance training in preparation for their future encounters in the wilderness. While we often cry “To what purpose is this waste?”, God is always saying “Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this…be told”. Therefore, there is always no waste in all of life’s engagements with divine presence and inspiration; the purpose of these positive engagements remains the only precious and best essence for human existence.