“She did what she could”

Am I doing what I can?

July 12, 2010 (Monday)
The Nominating Committee of a local church sent all the members an open letter. It said, “We regret to inform you that ‘Somebody Else’ has moved away, so when we ask you to take a job in the church this year, we would like for you to keep that in mind.”
No one accused Mary of Bethany of shifting her own opportunity to serve Jesus to “somebody else.” Indeed, the criticism of her giving to the Lord was very personal and aimed right at her. They said she did “too much.” Jesus, however, defended her and said, “She did what she could” (Mark 14:8 NIV).
A good self-examination question for a Christian is, “Am I doing what I can?”
If I am to do what I can, I must evaluate what I have. What do I have to work with? God does not hold me responsible for using what I do not have, so I should not berate myself for not doing what clearly I cannot do. He does, however, expect me to do what I can, using the resources I have. Remember Moses’ rod? His shepherd’s staff was more than likely a stick cut from a tree. Yet God asked Moses when he called him, “What is that in your hand?” He was expected to use what he had, to do what he could.
If am to do what I can, I must know what I consider most important. Jesus was the most important person in Mary’s life. She was willing to give Him the best thing she had. He had top priority with her. Is Jesus the most important person in my life?
If I am to do what I can, I must be willing. Am I doing what I can?