WINSDAY WISDOM Session 44
It was memorable! It was stupid! It was memorably stupid!
It was the night I was temporarily blinded by one of the most inspirational illustrations ever performed before a live audience. If you were there, you had never seen anything like it. If you were me doing the illustration, you could not see anything.
KIDS! DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
DO NOT TRY THIS ANYWHERE OR AT ANYTIME!
The scene was a college football team retreat. I was the inspirational speaker. That in itself is somewhat comical. The intent was to spiritually challenge the players as they prepared for the new season ahead.
I wanted the lesson to have a great impact on their lives. I chose the Biblical account of the woman who gave her expensive perfume to Jesus. As she lovingly poured out her perfume on Jesus, others criticized her action as “a waste.”
The highlight of the story is that Jesus commended what she did by calling her actions, “Extraordinary.” For me, the personal impact came from Jesus’ description of extraordinary. “She did what she could.”
Consider that for a moment…and for a lifetime. Jesus defined “extraordinary” as doing what you can do. It was not some monumental feat. It was not some unbelievable action.
A WOMAN JUST DID WHAT SHE COULD DO WHEN SHE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.
IN THIS CASE, SHE LOVED FIRST AND LOVED MOST.
EXTRAORDINARY!
The woman’s gift of love was an expensive jar of perfume that she broke and poured over Jesus’ head. The fragrant aroma quickly filled the room and got everyone’s attention and Jesus’ commendation.
I had an idea how to illustrate the story. I asked several of the more stylish players to identify the best and most popular cologne. I purchased a bottle. It was very expensive. That was just what I needed, an entire bottle of expensive, fragrant cologne.
When I began my presentation, I handed the cologne bottle to one of the players near the front. I asked him to empty all the contents into a small container. While he was performing my request, I explained to the team that others thought the woman’s action was a waste of something valuable. They criticized her purpose and method.
Then came the moment. I pointed out the notable brand name and the high cost of the cologne. What if I used it all up in one brief moment? I asked what they would think about that kind of action. Would that be an act of stupidity? Could it be an act of love? Would it be a waste? Or a lifelong lesson?
I reaffirmed my love for the players. This is what it looks like to do what you can do to show someone you love them first and most.
I leaned back and poured all the cologne on top of my head. The fragrance quickly filled the large room. As I leaned my head forward, the cologne began streaming down my face. I underestimated the flow. There was little hair to soak up or hinder the downward rush.
Suddenly, the expensive cologne was in both eyes. It stung. It felt as if my eyes were on fire. The protective nature of the eyelids instinctively kicked in. I literally could not open my eyes. This is no exaggeration. It was as if my eyes were glued shut.
I began a wild search for the towel somewhere on the stage. I stumbled around with my arms outstretched. At first, the players thought this was part of the act. I grabbed the towel and dabbed my eyes. They would not open. The stinging intensified.
Then, it dawned on me. I might go blind. I told the players that I had just done “the most stupid thing ever. I may have blinded myself. Seriously, I think I permanently damaged my eyes.”
Several players came to offer their assistance. I asked them to let me finish the lesson first.
With my eyes glued shut from the expensive cologne in my blinded eyes, I talked about extraordinary. I called their attention to how one influential act could set off an aroma of love that could affect many others. I challenged them to do something extraordinary with their football season and with their lives. It was a great life-lesson.
The illustration of pouring cologne over one’s head became a great concern. The burning, blinding effect did not dissipate. Medical attention did not relieve the pain. Rinsing the eyes might have helped, but they could not be pried open.
I sat with a towel pushed against my eyes. I thought about the stupidity of my actions. I strained to open an eye. The eyelids would not budge. It was as if they were stuck shut with super-glue. The stinging intensity did not subside.
Did I burn my eyes into blindness? At some point and in some way, the eyes began to bring in light. The recovery was slow and painful. Eventually, I would heal except from the embarrassing stupidity.
The shirt used in that infamous illustration was worn several times in the next few years. One time it covered my sweating body as I mowed the lawn in the summertime heat. It was laundered at least four times. It hung in the closet for the rest of the time as a reminder to me of the illustration and its application.
The polo shirt retained the pleasant odor for over three years. When I spoke on the Biblical story in another church, I took the shirt with me to show the lasting effect. I asked several participants to smell the shirt and describe any odor. That in itself is a dangerous request. Each identified the shirt as having a pleasant perfume-like fragrance.
Extraordinary love has a lasting effect. It might even have an everlasting impact. Others might consider the actions a waste, but the heavenly observers rejoice at the unselfish fragrance.
Do what you can do to love first and love most. This exhortation is not directed to what others might be able to do. It does not ask you to consider what you are unable to do.
Where could you start? What could you do? Jesus lives inside you to lead you to others He intends to love through you. Why not start there with that person? What could you do to love them first and love them most?
Extraordinary is just one small step between what you refuse to do and what you choose to do. Extraordinary is not beyond your ability.
You can do something extraordinary today. Jesus will notice. He said the act of love will be talked about in heaven forever.
In truth, heaven will be extraordinary. We will be fully equipped to love in the manner Jesus has loved us. First and Most. We will do what we can do to love other heavenly inhabitants engaged in the same purpose. Extraordinary!
Extraordinary is just doing what you can do. Sadly, that is unusual on this earth. Why? Most people do not do all they can do in this life to love first and love most. They withhold love from God and others. They prefer to be lovers of self in love with money and pleasures (#1 Textbook).
Love should never be half-hearted. Never mediocre. Never part-time. Never a second-thought.
What about you?
This week is a wonderful opportunity to love God and love others first and most.
How? Just do what you can do. Give your selfishness away. Let your love revolve around someone else. No act is too great or too extravagant.
EXTRAORDINARY LOVE GIVES GENEROUSLY!
Extraordinary is never about how much we give. It involves giving something relative to what we could give if we did all we can do.
Love always gives its best. Loving first and most is never a waste. Love never goes unnoticed by God.
Loving first and most is extraordinary! With God’s help, you can love first, and you can love most. Just do what you can do.
FYI: I HAVE THE BEST SMELLING EYES IN THE WORLD.
LOVE FIRST...LOVE MOST 