James 1:22 – Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (KJV)

As a Sunday School teacher and Missions Education Coordinator in my church for many years, I've often thought about today's Scripture, wondering if I have just been teaching the Word rather than applying the Word. There were others who gave a lot more time and money to mission projects than I did, even though I talked about what people should be doing. The same was true in my spiritual life. I was telling others how to live. Was I applying these principles to my own life as I should be doing? Then one day I came across the following Scripture:

Mark 14:8 – She has done what she could. (NKJV)

These words brought me comfort in my questioning. When the disciples, especially Judas, saw that the woman had poured an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume on Jesus' head, they chastised her for wasting it. Jesus came to her defence: "She has done what she could. She has anointed me in preparation for my burial." Her gift was a luxurious, material one, and she had acted in love to show honour to Jesus. Did she know that He would not be around much longer? Teaching was my gift. I had not been called to go to the mission fields, only to teach about them to my home church. In my teaching, I was using my gift, and, I hope, through its use, people were seeing at least the desire to apply the principles to my life.

Mary did what she could. Jesus found her gift satisfactory. In fact, He gave His promise that wherever the gospel was taught, her act of kindness would be remembered.

If we use the gifts that God has given us to His glory, He shall surely say of us, "You have done what you could."

Prayer: God, give us the desire to use in Your service the gifts that You have given us — different gifts to each of us. May we find satisfaction in using the gifts You have given us. Amen.

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