As Mary of Bethany gave the best she had to Jesus (Mark 14:1-9), so as Christians, each of us should give the best we have to the Lord as well. Our efforts may not seem significant, but God can use them for His glory.
The story is told of a man who was crossing the Atlantic by ship. He became terribly seasick and was confined to his cabin. One night he heard the cry “Man overboard!” But he felt that there was nothing he could do to help. Then he said to himself,
“I can at least put my lantern in the porthole.” He struggled to his feet and hung the light so it would shine out into the darkness.
The next day he learned that the person who was rescued said, “I was going down in the dark night for the last time when someone put a light in a porthole. As it shone on my hand, a sailor in a lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in.”
Everyone holding forth his own light or using his talents — no matter how small — will help accomplish God’s purpose on this earth, and will thus glorify the Savior. What a joy it will be when the Master looks into our eyes in that future day and with a loving smile of approval says, “Well done, good and faithful servant …. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21).
“Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do, Do not wait to shed your light afar,
—Ogden
To the many duties ever near you now be true, Brighten the corner where you are.“