Woman Unnamed

Mark 14:9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.

Are you an “Influencer?” I didn’t think so. Neither am I. But I do have influence, and so do you. I think one of the biggest differences between someone who has influence and an “Influencer” is this: the goal of the “Influencer” is notoriety. They want their name known.

When I was younger I thought I wanted to be known. I envisioned people knowing my name because of my preaching and teaching. Over time I came to realize two things. I wasn’t that kind of communicator and the cost of fame was more than I was willing to pay.

If fame was the goal, then I was on the wrong path. Jesus was not at the end of that path. I was. And I didn’t want to chase after myself. I wanted Jesus.

So my life has taken a very different path.

There is one event that illustrates what I experienced. I was in San Antonio, Texas doing some Army training in the large Army hospital there. I was doing pastoral care with patients. I saw dozens of patients every day. I saw suffering firsthand.

But I found a church to attend. It was in an old mall. When you walked in you could still see the hallmarks of the retail spaces. The church hadn’t done much to undo the appearance of the mall. It wasn’t important to them. It was just a space.

And the worship and preaching was exceptional. I went there for weeks. And what was amazing was that I didn’t know the preacher’s name. He wasn’t the focus. It wasn’t about him. It was about Jesus.

This church seemed to have a wonderful focus and it stood out to me. Unlike other congregations that I had attended, or that I had heard about, their size didn’t automatically lead to “Influencer” status. They remained focused on what was important. They served in anonymity.

There was a woman in Jesus’ life who still is unnamed. She wastefully poured perfume on Jesus. But Jesus honored her before his disciples and those attending the meal.

And she remains unnamed. Would it be OK if people didn’t remember your name? If you went into the books of history only known for your deeds of kindness and not for your moniker? No branding needed. No logo of your initials. No shirts or shoes with your trademark.

Let what you do be known. Let Jesus be seen.