My Life in The REAL World: Alabaster Box

Monday, December 6, 2010

Alabaster Box

"whenever you need more...all you have to do is WORSHIP" --CeCe Winans

I had a rough day today and at the height of my frustration this song came into my spirit. Starting with this line:
You weren't there the night Jesus found me. You did not feel what I felt when He wrapped His loving arms around me. And you don't know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box.

I had every intention on trying to explain at least a little bit of my struggle but then I realized that's the point. I don't have to. I've already washed the feet of Jesus with my tears; as a sign of humility and desperation. I came to Him out of great need.

I had a really great weekend in DC with my housemates. We visited Church of the Saviour in Columbia Heights. The main point I'll use to describe the church is that they are led by call. They have established several different ministries that serve different needs that the community has. Many of the members are men and women who have struggled with drug addictions and mental disease as well as homelessness. The GRACE of this church is that they have truly achieved a sense of brotherhood with each other. There are prosperous people of influence who are a part of this community. They have made a choice to love their neighbors and treat them with the respect and dignity that they are so often robbed of. There is nothing typical about Church of the Saviour. They don't have a church building or sanctuary. They meet separately in small groups at various locations in the neighborhood and there is no "head of the church". But it works. They have figured out how to make it work and to carry out the mission of the ministry every single day.

Below is a picture of the iconic statue of Jesus bending to wash his disciples' feet. I took it outside of Christ House which is a ministry of Church of the Savior serving medically ill and homeless people.