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My daughter just started the 5th grade.

Apparently, this means she has to choose either band or choir.

Serious? Those are the options? What about breakdancing? Or beatboxing?

I really pushed for choir. It seemed like the lesser of two evils.

I was nervous that she might continue in band through high school…

Anyway, she chose band. She wants to play the clarinet.

My house will soon be filled with the terrible sound of a grade-school child learning to play a horn.

And I know there’s gonna be a band concert at her school that I will be attending. I’ll send you an invitation too.

The truth is, I’m going to be proud of my daughter playing her clarinet.

It will be a beautiful sound—squeaks and everything.

For the past few days, I’ve also been thinking about the story of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus.

Her expression of worship was criticized by Judas and the other disciples…

But Jesus silenced them and defended her.

“Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing for me.” (Matthew 26.10 CEV)

The disciples thought what she did was ugly, tasteless, and unnecessary.

Jesus disagreed, saying: “no, that was beautiful.”

When we worship Him—it’s a beautiful thing, squeaks and all.

Don’t become a band critic, a clarinet critic, a music critic, or a worship critic.

Be a worshiper—because to Jesus, it’s always a beautiful thing.

It happened at a dinner party.

Mary & Martha were there. Lazarus was there. The disciples were there…

And Jesus was there.

Mary knelt at Jesus’ feet—she broke open an expensive jar of aromatic oils and anointed Him.

She honored and lifted Jesus up. It was an expression of worship…

And it really annoyed Judas. He complained. He criticized.

You know who agreed with Judas?

The other disciples.

“The disciples were indignant when they saw this. ‘What a waste!’ they said.” (Matthew 26.8 NLT)

Jesus knew what was going on in the room.

He was aware of their complaint and said, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?” (Matthew 26.10 NLT)

Here’s an important point:

When there’s worship going on, jump on board and lift Jesus up.

Don’t agree with Judas and get all critical.

Notice what Jesus said: “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me?”

Worship is about Jesus, not you.

Worship is about what’s good for Jesus, not what’s good for you.

Now, worship IS good for you… but it’s not ABOUT you.

It’s about Jesus.

Don’t like the smell? Doesn’t matter. It’s about Jesus.

Don’t like the sound? Doesn’t matter. It’s about Jesus.

Don’t like the worship leader? Doesn’t matter. It’s about Jesus.

When there’s worship going on, jump on board and lift Jesus up.

Don’t agree with Judas! Instead, honor Jesus. Lift Him up and worship.

When Mary dumped expensive perfume all over Jesus’ feet, Judas popped a cork.

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

He fumed, “Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.” (John 12.4 MSG)

He didn’t think it was appropriate—this isn’t how things are supposed to be done.

He critiqued Mary. He complained about her expression of worship.

He said it was wrong.

Here’s the deal…

What you complain about says more about you than it does about the thing you’re complaining about.

Later in John chapter 12, we discover that Judas wasn’t concerned about the poor.

That was just a smokescreen.

His real issue? Judas was the treasurer, and he was a thief.

His complaint wasn’t about the expression of worship or who was being overlooked.

He was mad about what he wasn’t getting.

Of course Judas couldn’t say what he really meant.

Most people don’t say what they really mean when they’re complaining.

We couldn’t ever say: “Gimme what I want. I’m the most important person in the room. Gimme—right now or I will make life miserable for you.”

When complaining, we usually make the issue about someone else.

We say things like, “This isn’t real worship. This isn’t how things are supposed to be done.”

We say, “It’s too loud, too quiet, too bright, too dark, too wordy, too simple, too new, too old…”

Maybe what we really mean is: “Gimme what I want. I’m the most important person in the room. Gimme—right now or I will make life miserable for you.”

Let’s be like Mary—focused on selflessly lifting Jesus up, and not like Judas—selfishly tearing people and things down.

We live in a land of excess and we have more than enough.

We shop at Costco. Hello!

Much of what we have will go unused.

Whenever I throw a dinner party, I always prepare too much food—and you know what that means… leftovers.

It seems like leftovers inevitably get tossed.

In our culture, there’s a lot of waste.

Reading John chapter 12, we see Jesus and his disciples attending a dinner party.

It was at Lazarus’ house (the guy Jesus raised from the dead).

Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, were there.

Martha prepared a big spread of enchiladas, chips, fresh salsa, and guacamole (I imagine).

And then… Mary comes in the room with a jar of expensive perfume—aromatic oils.

She knelt down at Jesus’ feet and poured out the oil, then wiped it up with her hair.

The fragrance filled the house.

One of the disciples, Judas, got all up in arms about this act of extravagance.

He said the oil was wasted.

“Why wasn’t this oil sold and the money given to the poor? It would have easily brought three hundred silver pieces.” (John 12.4 MSG)

The Bible explains that Judas didn’t actually care about the poor. He was the treasurer—in charge of the funds, and he embezzled them. He was a thief. His angry response was fueled by greed, not generosity.

Jesus responded to Judas’ outburst by saying, “Let her alone. She’s anticipating and honoring the day of my burial. You will always have the poor with you. You don’t always have me.” (John 12.7, 8 MSG)

According to Jesus, the expensive aromatic oil wasn’t wasted.

Mary’s act of extravagance was about worshiping Jesus.

It was all about “anticipating and honoring…”

And it wasn’t wasted.

When you worship—when you anticipate and honor Him, it’s never a waste.

You might be the only one doing it.

It might cost you something…

But it’s not a waste.

So, go for it—really dig in.

Anticipate and honor Him.

Be an extravagant worshiper of Jesus.

Sure, we can attempt to “go it” alone—but why would we?

We’re better together.

Jesus came and he built a team…

Since that time, the plan no longer calls for lone prophets or independent contractors.

Scripture calls the church a body, a family—and both of these images require “togetherness.” (1 Corinthians 12.12 & Ephesians 1.12)

We’re better together… and things aren’t right when we’re not together.

I love the story about the net-breaking, boat-sinking catch of fish in Scripture.

Jesus gets in Peter’s boat and tells him to “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

Peter complains, “We worked hard all night and didn’t catch a thing—but if you say so, I’ll put the nets out again.”

Here’s where the story gets good.

“It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.” (Luke 5.4-7 MSG)

Summary: Huge haul of fish. Nets strained past capacity. Partners waved in to help. Barely made it in with 2 boats.

Good thing they had partners, huh? Think about it.

If they barely made it with their partners help and 2 boats, it’s obvious they wouldn’t have made it alone.

We’re better together; better with partners, friends, homies—a group we are part of.

Sometimes in life, we feel like our “nets are strained past capacity.”

This is a good reminder: we need partners.

We really are better together.

PRACTICAL TIP: Look over the LifeGroup catalog (available Sunday) and sign up for a group this week.

I wonder when the disciples really started growing and learning…

Was it when they heard a powerful sermon, where Jesus just “tore it up”?

Was it after Jesus told them to read a few great books and listen to some incredible podcasts?

Or maybe Jesus only invited them to follow him after they graduated from Bible College—all educated, trained-up, and ready to go.

Hmmmm. Maybe not.

I’m sure they grew and learned while listening to sermons. I know reading helped too.

Classrooms and books and sermons and podcasts are all great. Really.

But they’re not enough.

Much of their growth came while spending time with Him on hikes, at weddings, on boat trips, and at dinner parties…

Hanging out.

Eating and drinking together.

Running errands.

Traveling.

Laughing.

Talking.

Jesus’ invitation wasn’t “Listen to me” or “Download my video podcasts” or “Tune in to see me on TBN tonight.”

He invited them to follow him…

And they followed.

They went places together. They shared experiences, adventures, and meals together.

Jesus modeled something for us:

Discipleship doesn’t happen in isolation.

Growth doesn’t just happen in the classroom or auditorium.

We grow when we go places together—when we share experiences, adventures and meals together.

We need each other—and we’re better together.

“The believers met together… They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.” (Acts 2.46, 47 NCV)

Just before our new “Dig In” series began, I asked for an orange stripe to be painted on the back wall of the stage. It matches the graphics for the series and visually ties everything together.

A volunteer was scheduled to paint the stripe.

As we approached the weekend, I heard that the volunteer had to postpone the painting.

Pastor DJ asked me if I needed him to “make it happen” (paint the stripe himself).

I said, “No, it’s OK. You don’t have to do it. I just don’t like starting a series and have the visual elements added after the start—but it’ll be fine this time.”

Well, Pastor DJ painted the stripe. He made it happen, even though I didn’t give him a straightforward answer.

He took the initiative.

He deserves “props” for realizing that it was important to me and personally taking care of it.

However, if Pastor DJ hadn’t painted the wall, it would not have been a failure on his part.

It would have been a failure on my part.

Why?

I failed to give a straightforward answer. I hemmed and hawed.

I danced around the point—making it completely unclear what I was saying.

Hemming and hawing is lame.

Jesus said, “Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.” (Matthew 5.37)

Sometimes, we try to put something between the lines, and then get upset when others don’t catch it.

I like what the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Corinthian church, “Don’t try to read between the lines or look for hidden meanings in this letter. We’re writing plain, unembellished truth…” (2 Corinthians 1.13 MSG)

We should write, and say the plain, unembellished truth.

We should say what we mean and mean what we say.

No more hemming and hawing.

No more hiding what we really mean between the lines.

If what we’re saying or asking for isn’t obvious to our listeners, they’re not the ones to blame.

We are.

Every time I see that orange stripe on our stage wall, I’m reminded…

Leave no question in their mind what you’re saying and what you’re asking for.

Never expect anyone to have to read your mind.

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.

Hemming and hawing is lame.

Just say it, and make it clear.

I used to be jealous of Jerry Seinfeld.

Here’s the reason why:

His friends were always coming over, walking through the door and into his apartment without even knocking.

They made themselves at home. They helped themselves to Jerry’s impressive cereal collection.

They didn’t wait for an invitation or special occasion to spend time together.

They just showed up.

Man, I really wanted friends like that…

And I couldn’t remember the last time someone just showed up at my house unannounced.

I started wondering what was wrong with my friends.

Were they too lazy? Too busy? Too boring?

Maybe my “friends” don’t actually like me.

Maybe they don’t enjoy coming over to my house.

Maybe they’re all over at someone else’s house having a great time, right now.

I kept thinking: why don’t my friends ever take the initiative?

They don’t call. They don’t drop in. They don’t invite me over.

Sheesh. What terrible friends I have.

It took me a while before I realized…

I’m just like them.

I don’t call. I don’t drop in. I don’t invite anyone over.

I don’t ever take the initiative.

I had an epiphany. The light bulb turned on in my head.

In life, most people rarely step up and take the initiative.

Most people are waiting for someone else to take the initiative.

Most people wish they had better friendships and more friends.

Most people are jealous of Jerry Seinfeld.

I realized something: it’s up to me to take the initiative.

Waiting around, being bored, lonely, and jealous of Jerry Seinfeld is stupid.

I can do something. I can show up. I can pop in. I can invite myself over. I can invite people over.

I can offer to bring some ice cream. I can bring presents. I can throw parties.

I can take the initiative.

I can be a good friend.

I can have great friends.

Here’s what Jesus said about it:

“Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.” (Matthew 7.12 MSG)

Snap, that’ll preach! YOU grab the initiative and YOU do it for them.

When people say things like: “People aren’t friendly here,” or “I just can’t seem to break in,” or “I don’t feel wanted,” I’m positive of this—they’re not grabbing the initiative. They’re waiting for someone else to do it for them.

I know it’s true because I was doing the exact same thing.

I was waiting and complaining, but I wasn’t grabbing the initiative.

When I had my epiphany, things changed for me.

I took the initiative.

I called people.

I dropped in.

I gave gifts.

I became the friend I wished others would be for me…

And it worked. I’m blessed with some incredible friends (and they’re blessed because of me).

Grabbing the initiative worked for me.

And it will work for you too.

Remember:

“Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.” —Jesus

I want to brush my teeth.

Nobody has to remind me. I don’t have sticky-notes on my mirror telling me to do it.

I don’t need a “brush your teeth” iPhone alarm prompting me.

My mom doesn’t call to ask if I’ve brushed them yet.

Occasionally, I will spend the night somewhere and forget to pack my toothbrush. That really messes me up. I try my best to do the finger and fingernail toothbrushing thing—but it’s just not the same. I don’t feel right until I finally get a toothbrush and brush my teeth.

Brushing my teeth is a healthy habit, a regular routine, a daily discipline.

I don’t even have to think about it anymore. It “just happens.”

But it wasn’t always like that.

There was a time when only my parents cared about my teeth getting brushed.

If they didn’t make me, it would not happen.

At some point, I began to realize that brushing my teeth is kinda important.

There was a transition period—moving from parent enforcement to me being responsible for it.

At first, I didn’t really feel like brushing my teeth. I forgot to do it, often. I needed to be reminded and nagged.

Eventually, after just doing it for a long time, things changed—I felt like brushing my teeth. I wanted to do it.

Not all healthy habits begin with warm, fuzzy feelings.

Sometimes, ya just gotta act your way into feeling.

Most people do the opposite: they feel their way into acting.

So many people are waiting until they “feel it.”

When they feel it, they will read their Bible.

When they feel it, they will worship.

When they feel it, they will serve.

When they feel it, they will give.

As a result, they’re roaming around like a 12 year old with stinky breath and nasty teeth (spiritually speaking).

Healthy habits, regular routines, and daily disciplines generally start out with acting on them, not feeling them.

Eventually, we do feel them and we don’t need reminders or prompts or sticky-notes or nagging to keep us going.

Just like I don’t want to go a day without brushing my teeth, I don’t want to go a day without spending time with God. I want to read my Bible. I want to worship. I want to serve. I want to give. I want to be involved in my church.

I feel it…

But truthfully, some of those disciplines only began in my life because I acted on them—not because I felt it first.

Sometimes, ya just gotta act your way into feeling.

“…make praise your habit.” (Psalm 64.10 MSG)

Believe me, I KNOW waiting.

I have a wife and a daughter.

It’s like the laws of nature or something—dudes are always waiting for their ladies.

Sometimes, I feel like I’ve spent half of my life waiting…

Waiting to go. Waiting to leave. Waiting outside the store (sometimes holding a purse). Waiting in the car. Waiting.

Thank God and Steve Jobs for the iPhone!

At least I have something to distract me.

Ya know what’s even better than playing with a smart phone while you’re waiting?

When it’s go time!

I love it when the wait is over and it’s time to go.

It’s a happy feeling—we’re shifting out of neutral and into drive.

Before Jesus came, God’s people were waiting for their coming savior.

When Jesus did show up on the scene, some people kept waiting. Such a curious thing.

Maybe they weren’t convinced or ready or didn’t like the packaging or something…

Even John the Baptist wasn’t sure if the wait was over or not. While locked up in prison, he sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?” (Matthew 11.3 MSG).

This question strikes me as funny for some reason—are you the One or are we still waiting?

Jesus was the One. He still is the One. The wait is over!

Unfortunately, I think many people are still playing the waiting game with God.

“Is this the church for us—or are we still looking, still waiting?”

“Is it time to get baptized—or are we still considering, still waiting?”

“Is it time to honor God with our money—or are we still making excuses, still waiting?”

“Is it time to roll up our sleeves and begin serving—or are we still looking for the perfect fit, still waiting?”

“Is it time to get serious about following God—or do we have some other things to do first, still waiting?”

Are we still waiting?

“Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute.” (Romans 13.14 MSG)

The wait is over. It’s time…

Time to dig in.