Do What You Can Do

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." - Edmund Burke

I recently read a small but powerful book, She Did What She Could by Elisa Morgan.  It starts with the story of Mary (sister of Martha) as told in Mark 14 (I added the emphasis):

"While Jesus 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. 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.  "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. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Mary took what she had and lavished it upon Jesus.  It was probably the only valuable thing she owned yet she was willing to give it up for Him. The oil and the act of pouring it on Jesus' head was all she had to offer and she did so with no other motive than to show love to her Savior. It was also a big deal because she was a woman in a time when women were insignificant (except to Jesus!) and He foretold that what she had done for Him would be included in scripture for all to read and remember.  But what stands out is Jesus' comment, "she did what she could".  And that was enough.

In this little book, Morgan challenges the reader to consider what if each of us did what we could?  I sometimes fall into the trap of what Edmund Burke expressed in the quote above and end up doing nothing because I don't think my small effort will matter.  But how wrong I am.

I can't single-handedly tackle world hunger but I can help pack up boxes of food for the needy or donate money to organizations that do such things. One box of food means a lot to the family who receives it.

I can't go in person to rescue a village in Africa from disease resulting from polluted water, nor can I afford to donate thousands of dollars so a new well can be dug, but I can add my contribution to that of others to send a team to dig a well that will provide clean water.  Maybe hundreds of lives aren't saved but to one village that well makes the difference between life and death.

I can't personally smuggle Bibles into places like China or the Middle East but I can help purchase copies that others are able to take to such people who are starving for the gospel.  This is something near to my heart because I know people in these countries who face persecution just for believing in Jesus.  My husband and I were able to contribute 250 Bibles that made it into the hands of Chinese believers in underground home churches, joining the efforts of many so that thousands of Bibles have made it into that country.  From the reports we've received, the gift of God's word has been multiplied as the Bibles get passed from person to person, and portions are even hand copied so more people can have their own little bit of scripture.

Locally I can't heal the wounds left by the recession in our county that still has an unemployment rate of over 14%.  But I can donate to local food banks and help specific families as I'm made aware of their needs. 

Sometimes doing what we can do is simply being kind to a clerk at WalMart.  Or sending a note of encouragement to someone.  Or pay for the person's meal in the car behind us at the drive-through as we pay for our own.  Or volunteer at a school to help students struggling with reading.  Maybe it means cooking a meal to take to someone who has been sick or has a new baby.  Perhaps it could be calling up an elderly neighbor and offering to pick up things they need at the grocery store since you're going anyway.

Sometimes all I'm able to do is pray but I don't take that lightly.  It can have a huge impact on someone's life as a simple petition for provision or healing turns into nothing short of a miracle when God responds. 

The point is, none of us has to save the world.  God doesn't ask any of us to be Superwoman.  All He requires of us is to love others and do what we can, according to the measure of what He gives us.  Some can spend a year abroad as a missionary.  Others can give millions to a worthy cause.  Others, like me, are only able to do what seems like a little but when done in the name of Jesus, the results are mutiplied beyond anything we can comprehend.

"'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:34-40


Worthy Organizations:

World Help

Global Action

Life Outreach International

Feed the Hungry