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“She Has Done What She Could”
“She Has Done What She Could”
“And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, ‘Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.’ And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her’” (Mk. 14:3-9).
We get beat up. We get pushed around. We think we are big ol’ failures. Who knows, maybe we are.
“I couldn’t see a way to connect this conversation to Christ, but I was trying…”
“I tried to invite my friend, but they were cold and dismissive.”
“I’m trying to show them the truth…”
“I just don’t think I’ll ever get anywhere with them! But I am going to keep at it…”
“I can’t seem to help them, but I’m praying about it!”
“We talked about spiritual things, but I can’t make any headway — I’ll pray and keep trying.”
“I don’t think they will ever listen, but I know God does… I’ll pray and keep trying.”
Get out of your own head. Remember the statement Jesus makes: “She has done what she could…” Our God will ask no more of you. If you are trying — constantly, continually, courageously — YOU have done what you could. It’s hard to imagine this woman had ANY concept for the lasting impact of what she was doing. To the point Jesus even says, “Wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told as a memorial to her…” Just a little thing — yet her efforts ended up as part of the greatest event in human history.
You may never fully know the depth of impact you had on a person. You may never see them again. You may never even hear about how they are doing. Yet, through your faithful efforts (teaching, implying, example-setting, encouragement, etc) you quite possibly could walk the streets of glory with them in the eternal day.
Keep your head up my friend. The work you’re doing is a good work!
