I force myself to walk slower. A seemingly unimaginable task for someone who has walked fast their whole life.

I close my eyes, breathing deeply. Inhaling the scent of lavender as I walk though this small lavender farm.

What is it about lavender that can almost instantly put our nerves at ease?

A few days ago, I just discovered that lavender is very similar to spikenard.

Every time, I would come across spikenard in the Bible, I always wondered what it was, but never took the time to actually look it up.

John 12:3

“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.”

Has there been a particular word that you’ve always seen in the Bible and have no idea what it means? I challenge you, if/when you remember the word or the next time you stumble upon it in your reading to look up what the word means. It could give a whole new meaning to every time you come across the word while reading.

I can’t help but think of how much I’m missing out on, by not intently studying God’s Word like I should. Usually, in the morning, I’ll read a certain passage without much time for reflection. I hurry about my day. I’ll pray asking to grow closer to God, but then I rarely take the time to try.

If God can use spikenard, God can use you.

Are we sitting by dwelling in our past? Are we assuming God can’t use us because of current circumstances?

Are we too busy with the world to take a few minutes of quiet time with Our Savior?

Eccl. 3:1

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

God has a purpose for everything He has created, from you and me to the hermit crabs and ravens.

Don’t fret if you feel like you’re in a waiting season.

Are we fully trusting Him?

Run to God ready and willing to be used by Him.

God can use you!