I love to see what creative treasures people make with hands. Wood working, textiles, paint are just a few craft items that catch my eye, but there are plenty.

I enjoy working with my hands to create items as well. Not too long ago I tried my hand at water colors…it didn’t last very long. And most recently, I pulled out my sewing machine to make curtains and pillows for my family room.

I spend some time each week on Pinterest looking for new ideas to create with my hands, but most of them are simply posted on my board for me to look at and admire.

There are plenty of things in this world that we can do with our hands. Take this blog. I suspect I could pull out my Dragon system and speak it into existence, but I find it much more convenient to type it out.

I cook, a lot, with my hands. I caress the face of the one I love with my hands. I hold my grandchildren close with my hands. I steer a car with my hands. I open doors with my hands. I hold many items in my hands (Bible, book, cup of coffee, phone, etc.). My hands stay busy throughout my day.

My mom recently broke two small bones in her hand and has been in a cast for about four weeks. She has found it difficult, and in some cases impossible, to function as she did pre-cast. The simplest, most granted-taken tasks take much longer to perform.

So I searched Scripture to see what God has to say about our hands or what we are to do (or  not do) with our hands. You see, they aren’t attached to our arms for our personal use. They are to be used by God for His purpose.

“Tie them (God’s commandments) as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” (Deuteronomy 6:8 – NIV)

“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.” (Psalm 24:3-4 – NIV)

“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” (Psalm 47:1 – NIV)

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” (Proverbs 10:4 – NIV)

“From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.” (Proverbs 12:14 – NIV)

“She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.” (Proverbs 31:13 – NIV)

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” (Proverbs 31:20 – NIV)

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor2 planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 – NIV)

“Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.” (Ecclesiastes 10:18 – NIV)

“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6 – NIV)

“If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Matthew 5:30 – NIV)

“We urge you brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:10b-11 – NIV)

“Therefore I want men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” (1 Timothy 2:8 – NIV)

While I know there are those who function quite effectively in this world without the use of their hands, I am thankful that I have two hands to do God’s work. I am called to use my hands to bring glory to God and to allow His purpose to be fulfilled in me.

You are called to do the same. So, what are you doing with your hands? Good? Idleness? No good? Perhaps it’s time to think about our hands differently. When they are part of the body of Christ, God can use them to do remarkable things for His kingdom. We simply need to be willing to let Him do His work.

I won’t say that I have this one covered. I find my hands doing things that are not productive and definitely of no value to God’s kingdom, but as I am made aware of what my hands are capable of in God’s hands, I am willing to give up some of the useless things I do with my hands.

What are your hands up to?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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