My Google Biography

"See what Google knows about Katie Gangemella.” These were the words that appeared in a little box on my laptop screen as I waited for my email to load. Of course I could not simply ignore it. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see what Google knows about them? Lucky for me there are very few people in the world with the last name Gangemella and so a few clicks and a couple seconds later I found myself reading what the world of Google apparently knew about me. This is what I found…A few mentions of basketball statistics from high school, some details about a harp performance and, of course, let’s not forget, my Facebook page. How nice.

Something my boyfriend often reminds me of when I start to stress over a project or a paper is that 20 years from now I will look back on my life and not remember the tests I took or the projects I completed, but the things God has done in my life, the people I love and the memories I made. He is so right (naturally). This brings me to the question that I sat at my desk pondering for a long while after reading my “Google biography.” What am I doing with that precious gift from God called my life? We only get one shot at living life and our time is limited. While that may seem like a depressing thought, it should really be a challenge. And this is not a challenge necessarily for you, but for me personally. I need this reminder that, as the Bible says my life is only a vapor that will soon vanish away. Whether we like it or not, that moment will come when we take our final breath. That is why it is so vital that we start now to live the life our God has called us to live.

“As for man, his days are as grass, as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” This verse from Psalm 103 reminds me of the phrase that may sound cliché, but is very true – life is short. I want to be changing, constantly moving, never satisfied with where I am in my journey towards becoming more like Christ. In the end I don’t want to be remembered for what I wore or how I looked, my GPA, or a list of accomplishments. I want to be that girl who is remembered for living a life that reflected upon her amazing Lord and what He has done. I don’t want to live with the goal of attaining temporal things that have no meaning. But instead, I want to live in a way that glorifies my God. I want to strive to seek after those things that have lasting, eternal value that will never fade away. . .

As the poet so beautifully put it: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.”

Do you love God? If asked that question many of us would probably reply with a yes. It's a question I found myself asking as this new year approached. I say I love God, but do I really love Him as I should? 2012...a brand new year, I thought. If you're like me, you may be all about new year's resolutions and setting goals. This new year as I sat down and considered how I would spend the next 365 days of my life I opened my Bible and came across one of my favorite stories - the woman with the alabaster box. It's a story that has always challenged me, but never quite like it did this time. I realized something after I read that story and knew exactly what my goal for this new year would be...to love my God, holding nothing back.

It was a pretty box. The alabaster white color was so pure and beautiful, seemingly flawless. Filled to the brim with an ointment by the name of Spikenard which was produced by a rare perennial plant, it gave off the sweetest of aromas. Shaped like a slender vase with a curved neck leading to the outlet, this box was stunning with its dainty design and elegant appearance. When the seal was broken, a fragrance so delightfully wonderful filled the room. It was her box. Her most prized possession. The very best she had.

                She was a lowly woman, very poor, very infamous. Yet, she knew of Jesus, the Christ, and more than anything, she wanted to be near Him. He was the compassionate Savior who never turned away the poor, the sick, or the sinful and she strongly desired to hear Him speak, to lay her eyes upon Him, to somehow show how much she loved the One who cared for outcasts such as herself. She must go to the house of the Pharisees, and although she knew she surely would not be wanted there among such men, she went, for she had to see Him.

                Standing at His feet, her tears overflowed. Tears of agony, for she was a sinful women ashamed of her transgressions; tears of sorrow for she was so unworthy;  tears of joy, she at last was with her Lord; tears of awe, He was holy ; tears of anguish, soon her Lord would be crucified. Standing at His feet, she could not speak. Weeping she began to kneel before Him as her tears fell upon the feet of Jesus. With her long, flowing hair she tenderly washed His feet and kissed them. Reverence and devotion were clearly shown by the woman as she knelt. She loved Him.

                Then came the box. It was so precious to her. Costly and exquisite, the box was the only beautiful thing she had ever had. Tears streaming down her face, she broke the seal, pouring out all of the ointment upon His feet. She had done all she could do, she gave her highest treasure, her only valuable possession, and emptied it out before the feet of Jesus. Then at last, she began to leave, but stopped when she heard Him speak.

                                "... Thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment...her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much..."

                This story of the woman with the alabaster box is so amazing. It tells of a woman who gave her very best to the one she loved the most. She did not hesitate before breaking the box and pouring it out. She was not remorseful about giving up the valuable box for her Master. A picture of sacrifice, devotion, and adoration, this story portrays something beautiful - a love with no price that holds nothing back.