And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me….she has done what she could.” -Mark 14: 5-6, 8

If you’re anything like me, you want to do a good job for Our Father and Jesus. We do our best to seek His will and purposes for our lives, and to minister well to our sisters and brothers.

You may have noticed though, that no matter what we do, what we think we hear Him saying or what He’s calling us toward, there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t think you’re doing it right. Who doesn’t think you’re approaching The Lord with appropriate reverence or consideration….or even that you’re silly for approaching a “Lord” in the first place.

This hurts even more when you love the person who’s framed your efforts as inadequate. You may be in a healthy enough place that you realize you shouldn’t heed the opinions of people you wouldn’t go to for advice. But, it’s hard for even the best of us to overcome how we feel when someone for whom we have great respect doesn’t assume the best of our intent.

Here’s the thing: He’s talking to YOU. YOU are in relationship with HIM and while we’re all connected in some capacity in spirit, HIS call is what matters.

Take heart. There will always be nay sayers. Folks you don’t know will form opinions about your character. People closest to you may criticize you in ways that make you think you’re not doing it right, that your efforts are in vain, that the voice you’re hearing isn’t Him. That you can’t make a difference, so what’s the point?

The point is Him. It’s always been Him. He’s created you with purpose that only you can do. The purpose is uniquely crafted into the person that is you. And, He’s faithful to complete that work and purpose.

Test against scripture, and do what you know in your heart He’s calling you to. Perhaps one day he will say of you too, “Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” -Mark 14:9

Hear Him today, protecting and encouraging you: “Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful thing to me.”