Throughout this series so far we’ve looked at opening our hearts, ears, and eyes. Today we’re going to look at opening our hands. Before we are ready to serve, we have to be willing to get things done. Our hands need to be opened in order to do what God has planned for us in the future.
We know that serving the Lord requires action, so we must prepare ourselves to actually begin that which the Lord calls us to accomplish. Action requires planning. Action requires preparation. Action requires movement.
With open hearts we can welcome those in the Lord brings our way. Open ears allow us to truly listen to what God is calling us to do for Him. Having our eyes open enables us to see the people in the world that are in need of Christ. Opening our hands is an action needed to fulfill God’s calling for us.
Feeling the pain for others, hearing God’s call, and seeing people in need of Christ is not enough. Knowledge without action will not change the world. This will not bring joy to those in pain, food to those hungry, comfort to those mourning, and most importantly it will not bring lost souls to Christ.
Are you ready to use that which you know in your heart, hear with your ears and see with your eyes to work? Are you willing to do your part in changing the world for Christ?
How do we open our hands in preparation to serve the Lord?
We start by dedicating our hands to the Lord. Giving them back to Him and asking Him for the strength to use them for His will.
What We Must Remember Along the Way….
a. All too often we are concerned with the things we need to do get done for us and our family. While our family is our most important ministry, we also need to be in prayer asking God to direct us where and who else we can use our hands to help.
b. God’s ways are not our own, and we must remember that when we are called to a particular ministry that may not make sense, we don’t see the point and/or we don’t believe we’re “right for the job”. God never makes mistakes and that which He calls us to do, we must do for Him.
c. We must not limit God. If He places a mission on our hearts, then we must accept it and move forward as He directs. Where God directs us, He will provide a way, and the knowledge and strength to get the work done.
d. When we begin to feel weak or depressed that things are not going as well as we had hoped, we need to come back to the Lord in prayer. Seeking His strength for the journey, guidance for the current path and reaffirmation for the mission He’s called us too.
Putting our knowledge to work is where the rubber meets the road. This is when we will really begin to be tested. Our relationship with the Lord must be faithfully strengthened daily by the reading of His Word and conversation with Him in prayer.
I am praying that as we are getting close to wrapping up the Preparing to Serve series, and approaching the Ready to Serve steps that you are being strengthened and inspired to serve the Lord with your whole lives.
