July 23, 2022

Mark 14: 8 (NIV)

“She did what she could.”

Deliriously joyful are the ones who believe that if God has used sticks, rocks, and spit to do his will, then he can use us.*

I read this recently: “I just instagrammed a Bible verse with a mountain background, what have YOU done to make disciples today?”* I nodded my head in agreement. “Yup,” I thought. “Exactly.” The tweeter’s sarcasm was not lost on me. And then my better self thought, “What if making memes of beautiful scenery and Bible verses is all you could do to share the gospel? Shouldn’t you do it? Isn’t that much better than being able to do more but not doing it?

In the story from which this verse in Mark is taken, Jesus gently reprimands the other guests at a dinner party for their harsh comments about a woman’s beautiful expression of devotion to the Lord. When she anointed his head with some expensive perfume, some of those present were indignant at the wastefulness of her gesture. There is no mention that she had stolen the jar of perfume from one of them so it seems it was her property to dispose of as she chose; nevertheless, they claimed that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. I’m thinking they were just trying to impress Jesus with their piety, while she was making an offering to him using the resources available to her. “She did what she could.”

Your small acts of devotion may not be spoken of “wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world” (verse 9), but never doubt that Jesus takes note and remembers. Do what you can – because whether it’s an extreme sacrifice or a Bible verse superimposed on a mountain scene, it is the Holy Spirit’s job to make it effective.

It is a snare to long to be used to do miraculous things. It is often rooted in the pride that wants everyone to see just how greatly God can use me. I should be delighted in the power of God, not because He has used me to display it.*