“She hath done what she could” (Mark 14:8)
Mark’s account of the woman with the alabaster box of precious ointment was a powerful validation from Jesus of the value of her efforts. While others were murmuring against her, Jesus memorialized her!
She Can
God has put tremendous potential into the ladies of His church. It behooves us all to use our talents for the Kingdom. Have you done what you could? Have you done all you can do for His kingdom? We know to pray and fast. We know to read and study His Word. We know to serve in our church. We know to be a witness wherever we go. We know what to do, but what do we do with what we know to do?
The enemy constantly tries to rob us of our potential. His goal is to steal, kill, and destroy everything that is good and godly. If we could live, serve, and work for God without troubles, trials, test, tribulations, and temptations, what a wonderful world it would be! However, that would be a perfect world, and we definitely do not live in a perfect world.
The good news is we have the ability to control our own actions, words, thoughts, and deeds, and we have a God who is able to help us. Many of us have situations that load us down with baggage—rage, bitterness, sadness, guilt, depression, resentment, sin, pride, and the list goes on. But God is always there to help us overcome, shake it off, and get rid of the baggage.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). God can enable us to lay aside the weights that drag us down. Once we’re rid of the baggage, we are free to run the race—and do what we can!
So many promises in the Word are preceded by a command that requires us to do something. Matthew 7:7–8 summarizes: You ask; He will give. You seek; He will let you find. You knock; He will open.
If We Will, God Will
Some of the most comforting words in the Bible let us know that if we will, God will. This is evidenced in I John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” It’s a promise of God, and His promises never fail. If we do our part, God will do His part.
The account in Mark of the woman with the alabaster box shows us what pleases Jesus. Jesus said, “She has done a good work for me” (Mark 14:6, NKJV). She did what she could! As Apostolic women, we need to do what we can and give our very best to our Lord for the furtherance of His kingdom.
(A version of this article was published in Reflections.)
_____
One of the arms of the UPCI is Ladies Ministries. It is an exciting, vibrant ministry made up of women across North America. We have sister groups around the world who work faithfully and untiringly for the sake of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own and other lands.
Resources and Links by Women of the UPCI
Teaching to Transform Hearts – a book for teachers. Aren’t we all teachers?
More Than Grasshoppers – reclaiming God-given identity.
The Girl in the Dress – written just for girls.
Arise Walk in the Sunrise: A 10-week Devotional Prayer Journal – your guidance to walk in victory.
A Kintsugi Parable – we are the potter’s prized creations. Read about this ancient Japanese art form.
For Women Who Are Called by Women Who Have Answered – words from women who have answered the call.
Hello New Life – help people realize that “they can” after divorce.