The truth is that even a slight gesture might make a great difference, and very often you can find partners whose efforts, when combined with your work, really make something happen and change the way things are. And perhaps the way they will be in the future.
Sometimes, ironically, the simplest gesture makes the most difference. The fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark tells the story of a woman anointing Jesus with the finest expensive perfume, as would be used to anoint one for burial. Several of the disciples were quite upset by the gesture, saying the perfume would have been better used to raise money for the poor.
Jesus responded to their protests, saying, "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" (Mark 14:7-9 NIV).
This woman took what she had and did the little she could to acknowledge what would come in the days ahead. She demonstrated great insight and based her decision about the use of this precious oil on the impending death of Jesus. Many other followers weren't grasping the immediacy of the final days of Jesus' life, but this woman was and "she did what she could" to show her reverence and love for the man who would give the ultimate sacrifice to save the world. Jesus recognized that this act would be told every time the story of his last steps toward the cross was shared around the world.
We should follow this example. Look for the need or the crisis or the occasion. Do what you can do. It may be the very best thing to meet that crisis, fulfill that need, or serve that occasion. It may be woven into the very fabric of Jesus' story wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world.
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