The Wisdom to Know What is Needed

In Genesis 18:1-10a, Abraham received three visitors and addressed them as one Lord.

“When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, ‘O Lord, if I have found favour in your sight, do not pass by your servant.”

It takes wisdom to recognise that God visits us through others-especially in community and acts of service. Often, he reveals himself in unexpected ways. Every opportunity to serve is, therefore, a potential moment of divine encounter. We must embrace such moments with devotion and reverence.

God manifests himself in mysterious ways. Truly knowing him involves discerning his scale of preference in the service we render. Though he is consistent and faithful, God often directs us according to what is most needed at a particular moment. The same kind of service Abraham offered in Genesis was also rendered by Martha in Luke 10:38–42. However, Martha compared her service to that of her sister Mary and lost sight of the spirit in which it was offered. When we serve with comparison or resentment, the merit of our service is diminished.

“And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Self-justification often blinds us to the value of others and their contributions. What we do may indeed be good, but it is not necessarily better than what others do-especially when we perceive their efforts as less significant. True wisdom lies in appreciating the small acts of others, done with sincerity and at the right time. In God’s sight, a simple deed offered in love and at the right moment may carry more weight than greater works done at the wrong time or with the wrong intent.

While we learn the art of timing and encourage others to fulfil their responsibilities, we can simply appreciate our own efforts and leave the judgment of others’ responses or actions to God

May all we do win favour in the sight of God. Amen.