Day Eleven

Day Eleven // March 1 // The Surrendered Hands of Christ

“Surrender the thing you fear into the hands of God. Turn it right over to God and ask Him to solve it with you. Fear is keeping things in your own hands; faith is turning them over into the hands of God.” – E. Stanley Jones –

Amidst a twisted grove of olive trees, holy hands that once spun the world into motion willingly gave themselves over to being bound. Having just been clasped in prayer, the Savior’s hands now lay prone against His side. And they had done such good. His hands had opened blind eyes. They had cast out demons and restored lepers to life. His hands were powerful – bringing healing and comfort to the masses.

But even bound – tied with fetters of fear and jealousy and hate – our Lord’s hands would be victorious, for they were still capable of being spread out in love. Maybe no more powerfully than in that moment, when He willingly denied Himself and gave Himself over, had His hands worked such miracles. Fingers that had once

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given hope to individuals now laid out to offer hope to the world.

And it was a model for us – His Church, His followers… we who call ourselves the Body of Christ. As Christ surrendered His hands, so must we. Our strengths. Our abilities. Everything we’re capable of doing. Everything we’re capable of being. As the pierced hands of the Lord once gave proof to Thomas (John 20:24-27), so now do ours to the world around us.

We are being watched. You are being watched. By your family. By your friends. By your co-workers and teammates. By your hunting buddies and tennis partners. Even by complete strangers. You are being watched.

For hands – even idle hands – say more about us than we probably realize. But hands that cause hurt can also heal. Hands that stir up strife can also calm it. Hands that sow rancor and negativity can also plant the seeds of peace and friendship and love. With our hands, we can either tear down or build up. It’s all in the way we use – and the way we allow God to use – us. It’s all about the fights we choose to fight.

We are being watched. So, what will your hands work for the Kingdom today?