Have you ever looked at your hands and thought of all of the things those hands have done?

They have accomplished so many things. They may have cradled a baby, poured cement, cooked for a family, built a house, comforted a skinned knee, gave a handshake in friendship, gave a pat on the back to someone in need, or held someone’s hand in prayer. Some hands are nicely manicured, some are old and wrinkled showing years of use, some beat up from hard work or stiff and sore due to age related problems.

Have you ever looked at your hands and considered that our hands are the only physical hands that God has here on earth to help do so many tasks, not only for our own existence but the work God calls us to accomplish. We need folded hands in prayer every day and open hands to reach out to help others in the work of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Hands are interesting, aren’t they? Some hands are thin, some fat, some rough, some smooth, some are strong and some are weak. Think of a baby’s hand, so soft and dependent on yours, your mother’s and father’s hands all wrinkled and careworn, the doctor’s hands that do so much to help the suffering, the hands of others that do so many kind and thoughtful deeds.

But hands are more than interesting. Hands are powerful. What could you and I do without our hands? Our daily living depends on our hands. Through our hands we reveal our desires and ambitions. We show anger with a clenched fist. We show love by caressing little children. We sign important documents with our hands. We do dishonest business with our hands. Perhaps, this is why God has a special plan for our hands.

Look at your hands! What do you see? Wrinkles, unkempt nails, yet have you ever thought of what a wonderful creation your hand is? If you hold up your hand all five fingers are a different length, but as you slowly bend them each muscle and knuckle takes its proper place so that all of your fingers are even. Look at the thumb sticking out. It is the only finger that moves in toward your other fingers. If it didn’t do that you could not pick up a pencil or other objects. The hand is a marvelous creation! Have your hands been so busy with your own selfish pleasures that you haven’t taken the time to lend a helping hand to your neighbor or someone in need? Are you letting someone else do things for others?

Our hands can give a history of our life. What story can yours tell?

It all depends on whose hands that some things are accomplished. A basketball in my hands is not worth more than the price of the ball, yet in Michael Jordan’s hands it may be worth $33 million. The same with baseball. It can be worth millions in Mark McGuire’s or other players’ hands. A rod in my hands might scare off an aggressive animal, yet a rod in Moses’ hands parted a mighty sea. A rock in my hands is “just a rock,” yet combined with a slingshot and David’s hands it became a mighty weapon. It depends on whose hands it’s in. Two fish and five loaves of bread in my hands would make a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and five loaves of bread in God’s hands fed thousands. I could do little with a few nails but in Jesus Christ’s hands they produced salvation for the entire world.

How many accomplishments have you had with your talent, willingness, training and dedication? Each person is different. Each one has their own skills and has accomplished different things, hopefully according to God’s plan for you. It just depends on whose hands it’s in. Put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God’s hands because the safest hands to trust are the Hands of God.

Remember as you look at your hands every day and all of the tasks they will perform, ask yourself, what can these hands do today to further God’s work here on earth? Resolve each day to make sure you do something for Him if nothing more than a pat on the back or a hug to someone that needs it. At least fold some hands in prayer and ask that your mind, hands and heart might be the hands of Jesus here on earth. Christ has no body on earth but yours (I Corinthians 12:27.)

Wilma Faver

First Christian Church