July 1: The Perfume of Worship

Angela Hall,
Community Services Director, 
CIC, Savannah SDA Church

Scripture:

Theme: Pouring Out Your Love for God

Luke 7:37-38 (NIV)

“A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 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.

Biblical Reflection: The Alabaster Jar

In Luke 7, we encounter a nameless woman whose act of love has resonated through generations. She entered a room filled with judgmental gazes, bringing only her brokenness and a jar of precious perfume. In a moment of profound humility and love, she poured everything out at Jesus’ feet—her tears, her perfume, her heart.

This wasn’t just a gift of fragrance; it was a symbol of surrender, gratitude, and worship. She gave what she had, not out of abundance, but out of love. Her act teaches us that pouring out our love for God doesn’t require perfection—just a willing heart.

Personal Testimony: A Mother’s Love, A Legacy of Faith

When I was just five years old, my world changed forever—my father passed away. Amid heartbreak and uncertainty, my mother stood tall as the unwavering pillar of our home. With four young children depending on her and limited resources at her disposal, she carried the weight of our family with quiet strength and fierce determination.

She worked tirelessly, often putting her own needs aside so we could have food on the table, attend school, and feel the warmth and safety of a mother’s love. Her sacrifices were countless, her resilience unshakable, and her love immeasurable. In every struggle, she taught us the meaning of faith, perseverance, and unconditional love

But more than food or shelter, my mother gave us something eternal: faith. In the quiet moments of struggle, when the cupboards were bare and the future uncertain, she taught us to bow our heads and pray. She showed us how to trust God when there was no money for lunch, and how to give thanks even when all we had was each other.

Her strength wasn’t loud, but it was unshakable. Her resilience didn’t come from comfort, but from her deep and abiding love for God. Day after day, she poured that love into us—not just through words, but through every sacrifice, every prayer whispered in the dark, every tear she wiped from our eyes while hiding her own.

Now, as a woman navigating the complexities of adulthood, I see how those seeds of faith have taken root. Life hasn’t always been easy. There have been storms, setbacks, and seasons of waiting. But the values she instilled—faith, kindness, perseverance—have become the foundation I stand on. They are the compasses that guide me, the strength that carries me, and the light that reminds me of who I am and whose I am.

Her life was her alabaster jar. And like the woman in Luke 7, she broke it open—not in a palace, but in the quiet corners of our home. She poured it out for God, and in doing so, she poured it out for us.

To every woman reading this:

You may not feel like you have much to give. But your love, your prayers, your faithfulness in the small things—they matter. You are pouring out your alabaster jar every time you choose love over fear, hope over despair, and faith over doubt. And God sees every drop.

Illustration: What’s in Your Jar?

Imagine your life as a beautiful, hand-crafted jar—uniquely shaped by your experiences, your gifts, your story. Inside that jar are the treasures God has entrusted to you: your time, your talents, your compassion, your strength, your love. The question is not whether your jar is full, but what are you pouring out, and for whom?

The woman with the alabaster jar didn’t hold back. She didn’t measure the cost. She broke it open and poured it all out at the feet of Jesus. That perfume was likely her most valuable possession—yet in that moment, her love for Him outweighed everything else.

Dear sisters, we are invited to follow the example of the woman with the alabaster jar—not just in moments of worship, but in the everyday rhythm of our lives. Pouring out our love for God isn’t limited to church pews or prayer meetings. It’s found in the quiet, sacred spaces of our daily walk.

It looks like staying up late to comfort a child whose heart is hurting, even when your own body is weary. It’s extending grace to someone who may not deserve it, simply because Christ first extended grace to you. It’s giving generously, even when your own needs whisper for attention. It’s choosing to forgive when it would be easier to hold on. It’s choosing joy when sorrow lingers. It’s choosing to keep going—one faithful step at a time—when life feels heavy and uncertain.

This is what it means to pour out your love for God: to live a life that reflects His heart, even in the smallest acts of kindness, sacrifice, and faith

Your jar may not look like someone else’s. But what matters is that you pour it out freely, fully, and faithfully.

A Call to Our Sisters

Dear sisters,

Pouring out your love for God doesn’t always come with applause or recognition. Sometimes it’s in the quiet, unseen moments—folding laundry while whispering prayers, preparing meals with love, or encouraging a friend when your own heart is weary.

It’s in the faithfulness of showing up, the courage to keep believing, and the grace to keep giving. Your love matters. Your faith matters. And God sees every drop you pour out.

So don’t hold back. Don’t wait for perfect conditions or grand opportunities. Pour out your love today—in the way you speak, serve, give, and live. Let your life be a fragrant offering, a testimony of a heart fully surrendered to the One who first loved you.

Prayer of Commitment

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving us with a love that never fails. Today, we come before You with open hearts and willing spirits. We commit to pouring out our love for You, not just in words, but in action.

Help us to be faithful stewards of the time, talents, and resources You’ve placed in our jars. Teach us to serve with joy, to give with open hands, and to love with the same mercy and grace You’ve shown us.

May our lives be like alabaster jars—broken and poured out in worship, in service, and in love. Use us, Lord, to be a blessing to others, and may everything we do bring glory to Your name.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.