Alabaster Heart: A Worship Song You Should Know About.

While writing this blog post on why we need more women in ministry and leadership , I came across a new song form Bethel Music called “Alabaster Heart”. The theological premise of the song is whole life worship which equates the alabaster box of Mary in the anointing at Bethany with our heart of worship for Christ. Worship that is embodied as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).   

Have a look at these lyrics:    

1: So here it is my alabaster heart

I'm keeping nothing back from who You are

No hidden treasure veiled by key or lock

You're a lifetime worth of worship, and that's only just the start

2: Here it is my every waking day

The minutes, hours, the years of endless praise

For You're worthy far beyond all I could say

There’s a lifetime worth of worship in the nuance of Your names

Chorus: Let it rise like incense

My whole life a fragrance

Every ounce here broken at Your feet

Every breath an offering

My heart cries, these lungs sing

Over You, my worthy King of kings

3: There it is, Your alabaster cross

Giving all You are for all I'm not

I can’t believe that’s the kind of King You are

How could I not bring a lifetime worth of worship to You God

A number of years ago I had one of the most meaningful experiences with the Holy Spirit in my life. It took place during a fairly nondescript church gathering.  The theme of the sermon that evening was brokenness.  The imagery employed was the woman with the alabaster box.  There is something about brokenness in worship that is special in God’s eyes (Psalm 51:17).  My lived experience is that moments of brokenness and humility before God have been the basis for some of the most extraordinary experiences and spiritual formation in Him.   

While considering the practical implication of the theology presented in the post We Need More Women In Ministry & Leadership; that of Christ empowering women who were once marginalized in the old covenant, and now empowered in the new covenant;  the imagery of Mary breaking the alabaster box at Bethany takes on deeper meaning for women certainly; but really for us all.   It is an example of how far reaching and incredible Jesus’ transformative power is.   In the Lukan account of this story Jesus defends the woman actions by telling the story of cancelled debts (Luke 7:43-47).  Those for whom Christ has done so much can’t help but give him extravagant worship.   

The chorus of “Alabaster Heart” particularly relates this idea well.  The lyrics embody worship in a prayer of living sacrifice; emphasizing the best of OT worship— the sentiment that we cannot offer God worship  that isn’t costly (2 Samuel 24:24)  — and yet threading the needle of the NT worship which is spirit and truth (John 4) worship of  represented by the living sacrifice (Rom. 12). 

““Let it rise like incense
My whole life a fragrance
Every ounce here broken at Your feet
Every breath an offering
My heart cries, these lungs sing
Over You, my worthy King of kings””

So maybe the Bethany anointing was the embodiment of the John 4 and Romans 12?   What could be more ‘true’ than breaking our hearts open before the Lord and pouring them out for Him (Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6).  This extravagant worship that disciples of Christ found offensive is the example for us to follow when endeavouring to rise to the occasion of the living-sacrifice worship (again see Rom. 12:1).  

Songs like this are a beautiful prayer rooted in a good theology that can have an enormous impact on us when we gather as worship. But we have to allow it.

I understand the calls that have been made for more artistry in the church that celebrates deeper theology, and focuses on the deity of Christ.  However, there is also a continued need for prayers of worship, that serve as a response.  The Bible has many examples (i.e. Psalm 51, 22, 86; See: Five Reasons Lament and Praise Must Stand Together by Dan Wilt: ).    

For me, this song is new covenant prayer,  a confession — that echos the confession of David, the action of Mary and the call to worship given by Paul.  

If you haven’t done so, take a few minutes and have a listen to the song. Then listen to it again and involve yourself in it by reflecting on all that God has done for you by way of forgiveness and ‘cancelled debts’. 

And then, one more time, let it play and soak in the goodness of God — I’m sure you won’t be able help but let worship rise from your heart.