The Widow’s Offering

For my first two weeks in Ecuador, I will be with a team from Calvin comprised of three senior chemists, two engineering students, and a public health major. Accompanying us will be three professors, a chemist, and two civil engineers. In preparation for my trip, I often thought that I had nothing to offer since I was simply a young, inexperienced freshman engineer. I questioned why I was going, and what good I could do.

One day after our first group meeting, I was in my dorm room, and a good friend of mine offered to go on a walk. As we were walking through Calvin's Nature preserve, I was sharing and expressing my feelings about the trip and my inability to contribute. She shared Mark 12: 41-44.

Mark 12:41-44

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Then did I realize, it is not about how much I can contribute, but it is the fact that I am contributing with all I have. I may not be able to provide the same knowledge as a senior chemist, or engineer, however I am blessed to have this opportunity, and I am excited to serve God with all I have!