Do What You Can (While You Can)

We all have opportunities presented to us that require action within a window of time—if we don’t respond within that certain timeframe, the window closes. Often the window of opportunity only presents itself once.

There is a powerful story in the Gospel of Mark which depicts in beautiful detail such an instance. 

The story takes place two days before Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. At this time, “the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to arrest Jesus and kill him.” (Mark 14:1b)

“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” (vs. 3)

It is apparent that this woman, identified as Mary in the Gospel of John, is driven by a sense of urgency; she did not ask permission for what she was about to do. 

“Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.” (vs.4)

However, Jesus was able to see something and understand something that no one else could see or understand. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could.” (vs. 6-8)

“She did what she could” in the Message translates as, “She did what she could when she could.” 

How many times do we find ourselves in situations where the Holy Spirit nudges us to action? Oftentimes, the conviction is one that might make little sense to those around us.

As we take in the daunting needs of the world, both in America as well as Third World countries, it can be easy to sit on our hands and do nothing due to the enormity of the needs.

Instead of feeling that we must solve the world’s problems, God allows us to use what’s in our hands to meet the needs of those within our reach. The Holy Spirit’s prompting leads us to serve the needs of our own communities as our form of worship, bringing glory to God.

Mary did not know that what she was about to do would be recorded in the gospel and preached throughout the world in memory of her; she only knew that she needed to act swiftly. The need to be obedient outweighed the fear of harsh rebuke from man. She did what she could when she could.

Opportunities to act may feel as small as a whisper or as powerful as lightening. Either way, I pray we will remember the faith of those who have gone before us—I pray we will do what we can while we can.

Stay the Course…

Sheila