At the end of his life, Billy Graham was asked what he would do differently if he could go back in time. His answer made me stop and think. He said that if he could do anything differently, he would spend less time traveling and “doing” and more time just reading the Word and being with Jesus. It was such a simple response, but yet, so profound. Billy Graham made one of the biggest impacts on evangelism during his lifetime, and yet, at the end of it all, he knew the greatest value was in his time spent with His Lord and Savior.

That reminds me of the story of Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus. Her story is well known as her sister, Martha, busily worked to prepare the food. The Mary in this story is most likely the same Mary who poured out the perfume on Jesus’ feet in John 12. Why is this important? Because the time Mary had spent with Jesus gave her insight and revelation that no one else around her had. She knew her time with Jesus was short. She came to understand why He had come and that He soon would no longer be with her. Her time with Jesus gave her intimate revelation that changed her forever. It changed her so much that she knew Jesus to be more valuable than any earthly possession she owned.

Scholars say that the amount of perfume Mary poured out upon Jesus would have taken a year’s wages to pay for. Most likely, that perfume was a dowry which represented a future life with a future husband. Mary poured it all out upon Jesus. That decision did not come lightly. It came from time in Jesus’ presence. It came from knowing Him personally and intimately, and what Mary came to know, was the answer to all life’s difficulties and heartaches.

In the presence of Jesus is the only place we can know true refreshment. It’s there that all the muck and mire of this life washes away. It is there that we find He is the One who restores our souls.