Do we love God enough to surrender our glory like the woman who wept on Jesus’ feet and dried them with her hair? Her actions reveal three ways to surrender.
The Woman Who Surrendered Her Glory
She startled awake from some cheerful voices walking outside her crude mud dwelling. A few moments repose during the day was a habit with her since she frequently pursued late night activities. “Happy men,” she muttered bitterly, “I made them happy last night.” She reigned in her desire to shed a single tear and remembered the adoration the men gave her. Her shiny bracelets clinked together while she smoothed her hair, reveling in her dark kind of glory.
The sound of deliberate footsteps pulled her mind back to the present. It was too early for…no, it was a different kind of man. She peered out the tiny window watching the back of his head since he had turned down another street. “Jesus,” she whispered, but there was a catch in her throat. The sound of his name spoken aloud from her own mouth stirred her soul to a depth she didn’t know was possible.
Emotions flooded her fatigued spirit; thoughts bombarded her mind faster than she could handle. Before she knew what she was doing, she donned some plain garments, snatched the idolized money bag and dashed out the door. A plan was rapidly forming in her head, of which she was grateful for the momentary focus lest she turn on her heel and abandon her quest for hope.
A moment more and she purchased an alabaster flask of fragrant oil. “Sorry dear,” the merchant said, assuming she was grieving the loss of a loved one. She was grieving, deeply. Her racing walk quickened into a run, and she quietly darted through the door not knowing how she was let in.
“And standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.” Luke 7:38 ESV
Laying Your Glory at His Feet
One day after meditating on this story found in Luke 7:36-50, I couldn’t get this woman’s hair out of my head. I love that the richness of the Bible is so incredible that often more than one drop of wisdom can be found from one verse or passage.
Knowing that the hair is a symbol of the glory of man or beast (1 Corinthians 11:15), the phrase laying your glory at His feet has been stirring my spirit.
Glory has to do with honor, fame, adoration, praise, dignity. How can I lay my glory at His feet? Have I given all honor to Him from my heart or merely expressed it with words?
As we go about life, our talents, callings, and works that we do for God are a reflection of God’s glory. Sometimes the desire to claim the credit will seep into our hearts if we aren’t mindful. It’s in the moments when the Holy Spirit makes us aware that we have internally taken the recognition to a place of pride or self-reliance that we need to surrender it back to the One who made it all possible in the first place.
3 Ways to Surrender Your Glory to God
- Brokenness. She wept on Jesus’ feet. Tears are a symbol of brokenness. With weeping, dignity is reduced to pieces.
- Humility. She dried her tears with her hair. She laid her pride at Jesus’ feet. With humility, pride is reduced to pieces.
- Love. She kissed His feet. Those kisses displayed the love she felt for Jesus. She didn’t merely say it, she showed it. With showing love, “self” is reduced to pieces.
O for more of this love! If I might only pray one prayer this morning, I think it should be that the flaming torch of the love of Jesus should be brought into every one of our hearts, and that all our passions should be set ablaze with love to him. —Charles Spurgeon
We don’t know for certain who this woman was. She is assumed to be a prostitute, but the details of her sins aren’t revealed. Some suppose her to be Mary Magdalene, although we have no proof of this as well. Mary of Bethany also anointed Jesus’ feet with costly ointment in a separate instance (John 12:3).
No, we have no evidence of her true identity, but we can—I can—identify with loving Jesus much from being one who has sinned many, many times (Luke 7:47). I desire to surrender my glory to the Father. Even if I weep while others stare awkwardly. It doesn’t matter if I need to repent in the presence of onlookers. Because I love Him deeply.
Do we love God enough to surrender our glory like the woman who wept on Jesus’ feet? Click To TweetWhat about you? How do you give your glory to the Father? Tell us how by leaving a comment.
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The post 3 Ways to Surrender Your Glory to God first appeared on kellyrbaker.com.
Lesley says
August 15, 2017 at 6:14 amThis is beautiful, Kelly! I love how you brought the story to life, and I love this woman’s example of loving Jesus so much that nothing else matters.
kellyrbaker says
August 15, 2017 at 7:00 amHey, Lesley! People might not think that she had a bold love for Jesus, but it was really a socially awkward situation. But she didn’t care. I love that. 🙂
Betsy Cruz says
August 15, 2017 at 6:47 amThanks for your insights into this beautiful story, Kelly. I’ve always loved it, and never thought about the fact that she was laying her glory down. 🙂
kellyrbaker says
August 15, 2017 at 7:03 amThat’s the goodness of meditating on the Word of God, right? 😉 Great to see you here again, Betsy!
Michele Morin says
August 15, 2017 at 7:35 amThanks, Kelly, for taking us right into the scene and for proposing a possible back story. So beautiful.
kellyrbaker says
August 15, 2017 at 8:09 amAlways a pleasure when you stop by, Michele! 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
August 15, 2017 at 10:40 amKelly,
I think one of the best ways I can give the glory where glory is due is to share my brokenness in my writing and share how God met me there and brought beauty from the ashes. It’s daring to be vulnerable so that others may see that beauty was achieved in God’s strength, not my own. Beautiful post!! Love the imagery here….
Blessings,
Bev xx
kellyrbaker says
August 15, 2017 at 4:23 pmOh, I love that, Bev! Yeah, it’s not easy to be broken or vulnerable, yet it’s a beautiful work in our heart.
mareedee2016 says
August 15, 2017 at 4:20 pmKelly – I never thought about her laying down her glory. Now, I am stumped on if or how I lay my glory down at the feet of Jesus. Maybe it is when I am vulnerable and let others see the real me. Great post!
kellyrbaker says
August 15, 2017 at 4:24 pmIt could be. Somehow I think God is going to show you for sure soon. 🙂
Joanne Viola (@JViola79) says
August 15, 2017 at 4:40 pmThis was beautifully insightful, Kelly. Asking the Lord to show me how I am to lay my glory down at the feet of Jesus. Thank you for inviting me to think on this today.
kellyrbaker says
August 15, 2017 at 9:34 pmMany blessings to you, Joanne. Thanks for stopping by today!
Unmasking the Mess says
August 15, 2017 at 10:26 pmKelly- great insight! Thank you for the tips on how to surrender to God’s glory!
Visiting from #TeaAndWord
kellyrbaker says
August 16, 2017 at 6:50 amThanks, Julie! I think our love for God is the greatest motivator to surrender to Him. May we all love Him more.
hopeful50 says
August 16, 2017 at 6:43 amOh my how I love “behind the stage” stories and reading between the lines! Love writing those too! Check your email!!!
kellyrbaker says
August 16, 2017 at 6:52 amThey are fun. It’s a chance to tap into the imagination, right? 😉 And I will. Can’t wait!
Alice Walters says
August 16, 2017 at 7:38 amDear Kelly, thank you for this poignant reminder that Jesus welcomes us, loves and heals us no matter what. Blessings for your day!
kellyrbaker says
August 16, 2017 at 7:53 amYes, He does! She came as is, and just loved. There’s so much more to the story. It was a beautiful exchange. Thanks for joining us today, Alice!
carlielake says
August 16, 2017 at 7:47 amSuch beautiful insight, Kelly! Thanks for sharing. I think laying down my need to be right and to understand God’s plan… bowing in humility… is one way I can lay my glory down. Many times it is painful in a deep, personal way but God provides His peace. So thankful for that!
kellyrbaker says
August 16, 2017 at 7:54 amThanks for sharing that, Carlie! Yielding our glory to God can go deep. It’s not easy. But it’s always fulfilling and worth it. Great to see you here again! 🙂
sarahgirl3 says
August 16, 2017 at 8:55 amLay my glory at His feet.
I need to think on this. Great visual!
kellyrbaker says
August 16, 2017 at 9:50 amHi, Sarah! I hope you’ll come back and share what God lays on your heart after you think about it. 🙂
Liz Giertz says
August 16, 2017 at 9:26 amSuch a beautiful and challenging post. I’ll be praying about those things that are hardest for me to let go of today… Blessings!
kellyrbaker says
August 16, 2017 at 9:53 amHey, Liz! I didn’t realize how challenging this post is. Surrender takes us deep sometimes. Blessings to you as well!
debbieputman says
August 16, 2017 at 9:47 amYou drew me into the woman’s world and made me feel her despair and joy at laying her glory at Jesus’ feet. I think one way I can lay my glory at His feet is to listen. When I hear Him, respond with praise and adoration. Obey His call to come to Him. Lay my burdens and sin and let Him cleanse my heart.
kellyrbaker says
August 16, 2017 at 9:54 amI feel the same way, Debbie. This is what He desires from us. But I love how you brought out joy. There is joy in yielding! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Beth says
August 16, 2017 at 10:28 amI’ve always been fascinated by the story of this woman who doused Jesus’ feet with her tears, Kelly. And I love how you’ve masterfully woven her story into one that comes to life for us. I also love the three ways to surrender your glory to God. Wow! So insightful and helpful, my friend!
kellyrbaker says
August 16, 2017 at 3:14 pmIt is a fascinating story. I want to know her details and what happened afterward. Maybe that’s why I let my imagination run free. Thanks for stopping by, Beth!
Sarah Geringer says
August 16, 2017 at 11:11 amYou retold this story so beautifully, Kelly. Thank you for drawing out such wonderful insights!
kellyrbaker says
August 16, 2017 at 3:14 pmI appreciate the compliment, Sarah. Be blessed. 🙂
Nicole Kauffman says
August 17, 2017 at 7:47 amPowerful reminder here and beautifully written!
kellyrbaker says
August 17, 2017 at 8:00 amThanks for joining us, Nicole!
Karen says
August 17, 2017 at 9:12 amI read a blog not long ago called “Stop Photobombing Jesus” the thrust was that when we seek our own glory, we are stealing the spotlight from Him. It’s kind of what you said here… when we aren’t willing to surrender our glory, we’re actually stealing what rightfully belongs to Jesus. Thanks!
kellyrbaker says
August 17, 2017 at 7:11 pmThanks for sharing that analogy. It’s a good one. 🙂
mbethany says
August 17, 2017 at 10:12 amSuch a humbling concept, Kelly. Surrendering our glory- that’s an image that will stick with me! Thank you!
kellyrbaker says
August 17, 2017 at 7:12 pmIt is humbling…seems I’m always writing on topics that go deep…
Brenda says
August 17, 2017 at 12:31 pmKelly, this is so beautifully written. Love how you draw us into her heart…your heart…our hearts. Thank you, friend. ((xoxo))
kellyrbaker says
August 17, 2017 at 7:13 pmSo happy you came to join us, friend! 🙂
Sherry Stahl says
August 18, 2017 at 8:50 amYay! We were linkup sister’s today at Susan’s place. So glad to be connecting again after my hiatus from writing. I loved this post. I’ve never thought about the hair being the glory before. Such a great revelation. So many wonderful truths in that coming to light. Thanks for listening to Him as you read His word and share it with us. Praying you continue to release your glory for His as you write.
Be Blessed & Refreshed today!
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
kellyrbaker says
August 19, 2017 at 8:43 pmI greatly appreciate those prayers, friend! Praying the same for you. 🙂
Becoming Kiona says
August 20, 2017 at 4:44 pmBeautiful! This was so encouraging. Thank you!
kellyrbaker says
August 21, 2017 at 3:39 pmWelcome. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
themomgene says
August 21, 2017 at 8:31 amThank you for sharing this Kelly! I love this story. I love how extravagant she is with her love. May we all be that extravagant when God interrupts our life plan!
kellyrbaker says
August 21, 2017 at 3:39 pmExtravagant is the perfect word to describe her love. And I agree!
Stephanie ReadsWell says
August 21, 2017 at 12:31 pmI find humility and love to be more important when it comes to surrendering glory to God. I think it is a reminder to me. I could relate myself with the woman described in this post.
kellyrbaker says
August 21, 2017 at 3:40 pmThanks for sharing that, Stephanie!
rjbritton says
August 21, 2017 at 8:06 pmI love how, like this woman, when we truly know Jesus our hearts crumble before him. All we can do is get down on our knees and bow down before him. Maybe not literally, but our hearts and minds do.
kellyrbaker says
August 22, 2017 at 12:29 pmAmen, Rachel!
Aimee Imbeau says
August 24, 2017 at 6:28 pmKelly, this is one of my favorite stories. And you have retold it beautifully. I have chosen your post as my feature on Grace and Truth this week. Please stop by tomorrow and get the “I was featured” button for your post. Thanks for sharing!
KellyRBaker says
August 25, 2017 at 8:13 amHow exciting, Aimee! I will. Thank you!
Sherry Stahl says
August 25, 2017 at 8:47 amKelly,
I’m back here again as I saw Aimee Imbeau shared your post on the #GraceandTruth linkup. Great job girl 🙂
Praying you have a blessed weekend with time to rest, restore and refresh!
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
kellyrbaker says
August 25, 2017 at 12:29 pmAww, thank you so much for the double visit, Sherry! Love ya! 🙂