Can't keep my hands off of you

When I lived in Asia, I observed the custom of men holding hands as they walk. In case of a stumble, having someone there to lend a helping hand is a good thing. Even more, it is a declaration of friendship between 2 who have a hand in each other’s lives: “Two people are better than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one falls, the other can reach out and help” (Eccl. 4:9-11). On the same hand, God says, “Though the godly stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand” (Ps. 37:24).

Putting yourself in someone else’s hands is a sign of some dependence. That said, are we not, then, like putty in the hands of God? “As the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand” (Jeremiah 18:6)—a very challenging notion for the Western self-made-man who always wants to have the upper hand. Indeed, no dignified, liberated life form imagines himself a lump of clay.

When the Potter re-shapes you unexpectedly, do you respond, “Thy will be done,” or do you react, “Stop, you're doing it wrong! How clumsy can you be? What’s wrong with your hands” (Is. 45:9, NLT/NIV, ed). Every time we murmur about God's work in us, are we not saying, “keep your hands to yourself.” But how useless. He always wins hands down. And besides, He loves you far too much to keep His hands off of you!

Do You Have Reservations?

Have you ever saved a place for your friend(s) in a crowded church service and felt uncomfortable because you knew there was a chance they might not show up, and the seats would be empty?  But what if it was a concert your friend(s) had paid for?  You would have no reservations about holding their places.

While on earth, Jesus never had a place, once telling an aspiring follower, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20). Jesus knew His Father was holding His place in Heaven.

And to His disciples, He promised: “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places, and I'm going to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Ever since, all believers have treasured the truth that He has reserved our place in Heaven.  It is prepaid and has our name on it (Eph. 1:20; 2:6; Col. 3:1). And without reservation, I can tell you there will be no empty seats in heaven.

What’s Holding You Up?

After writing yesterday’s post about ‘things,’ it occurred to me that if you let go of your things, if you had no thing, you would have “nothing.” It’s not easy letting go of our things, because we think the things we possess and the things we do are who we are. Without these things, we believe we are nothings!  That's what holds up our progress in faith.

We hold tightly the belief that our things are what holds us together.  So God holds up His Son as an example of one who wouldn't be held back, by things of the world.  It behooves us to consider what things are holding our attention, and may be holding us down.  We need to make an honest assessment of what prevents us from laying hold of the very truth that holds the key to life.  In the following verses, look at how Paul approached his holdings.

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. That means I examine every "thing" carefully, holding fast to that which is good (godliness) since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (Phil. 3:12; 1Thess. 5:21; 1 Tim 4:8). Paul would let nothing (no thing) hold him up.