Finger By Finger

                   "God gives us things to share; God doesn't give us things to hold."
                                                      Mother Theresa




Too many people today live with fists that are tightly clenched. Most people don't even realize that this is the case. Even in Christianity, there are still many, many people who do the same thing. We can all mentally ascent to the fact that we are to "Let go and Let God", but in reality, I wonder how many of these people truly exist? How many people live with palms wide open giving all to Jesus and, in return, receiving all that He has for them?

Unfortunately, it has been my testimony that I have surrendered one finger at a time. Finger by finger I have surrendered to the Lord. When I finally glance down and see a palm that is wide open to Him, I rejoice and sing only to remember that I still have another whole hand that needs to be surrendered to His mercies and grace.

Our journeys will be much smoother when we open both of our hands without hesitating and give all that we hold onto into the loving hands of our Heavenly Father. However, if we do not choose this way, God can still accomplish His purposes one finger at a time. The Lord can, and will, gently begin to work on the first finger of our tightly clenched fist and require us to offer that which we preferred to hold onto. Here are some examples of fingers I have held way too tightly:

                                    Finger # 1: Marriage
                                    Finger #2: Children
                                    Finger# 3: Family
                                    Finger # 4: Pain and Disappointments
                                    Thumb # 5: Friendships
                                    Finger #6: Dreams
                                    Finger #7: Fear
                                    Finger #8: Anxiety
                                    Finger #9: Future Plans
                                    Thumb #10: Pride
             
         (I'm sure there are more, but thankfully, for illustration purposes, we only have 2 hands!)

At times I was aware of the things I was holding onto, but, at other times, I was blissfully blind to it. What I've learned over all these years of walking with God, is the way to know if you are holding something too tightly is if your thoughts become anxious around them. For example, if I am praying for one of my children and I feel nervous or anxious still, then there is a deeper work that God needs to do in my heart. Since Jesus is my Prince of Peace, I should walk in perfect peace when my mind is focused on Him (Isaiah 26:3).

There can also be a wrestling that takes place between us and God, as in the case of Jacob. In this story in Genesis 32, Jacob was alone by a riverside on his way back to Canaan. An angel appeared, which many believe was the Pre-Incarnate Christ, and Jacob wrestled all night with him  at Penuel (which means "the face of God" or "facing God"). At the end of this interchange, Jacob's name was changed to Israel and God blessed him, which was God's intention all along.

So, why did this face-off have to occur? The simple answer is for both revival and reconciliation. He had been estranged from his brother Esau for 20 years and God wanted for them to be reconciled. But, prior to this wrestling match, Jacob prayed one of the most poignant prayers in the Bible. In it, he expressed both his need for help, as he reminded God of the promises that had been given to him. This began the spiritual awakening in Jacob that God had previously ordained. True humility will always open the door for this in our lives.

The beauty of wrestling with God is that we emerge even stronger than we were before. His shoulders are definitely broad enough for us to tell Him about the things that hurt us. And disappoint us. And worry us. He will never turn away one of His beloved children. Not ever!

But after we wrestle, we must learn to leave our concerns in His capable hands and not pick them back up. When we pick them back up, it shows a lack of trust and faith in His ability to handle things. If He can take care of the whole earth, He definitely can handle one of our lives!

It will  also never be so much about what we have to give to God (because we only hold in our hands what He first gives to us); it is always about the things that God wants to give to us. And, He can never pour into fists that are tightly clenched. He can only pour into hands that are opened wide. This is a reminder that our hearts and hands and homes are continually open to do the works of the Lord.

Rather than asking God about the things you are holding onto, ask Him about the things He has for you that you need to receive. God longs to give good gifts to His children, but we have to be willing to receive them. I have learned that I am a terrible receiver. I love to give, but it always feels awkward to receive. And yet, how can we receive "far beyond all we could ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20) if we haven't learned the art of receiving? So, I am learning, as I will forever be a work in progress. (on this earth, anyway!).

Receiving from Him starts by spending time alone with Him in the Word. It is here that He will begin to open your eyes to see all that He has for you. Do you need comfort? Or wisdom? Or encouragement? Or direction? Or love? It is all found in His Word. Do you need promises from Him? Or vision? Or reassurance? It, too, is found in His Word. As a matter of fact, I would challenge anyone to find a need that is not addressed in the Bible. I would dare to say that that is not possible!

In this past season, many of God's children have been taught by Him in difficult places. It is in these places that we will see our greatest victories! As we humble ourselves, asking for His help and recognizing our total dependence on Him, we will see His strength come forth in the places where we have been weak. Standing on His promises will allow us to see miracles take place.  We will see Him make a way for us like we have never seen before. Our circumstances have been a set-up for His glory to shine!

This is definitely not the time to hold onto anything that will prevent us from seeing His goodness in the land of the living. It is not the time for Him to pry open our fingers one by one. No, this is the time to throw open our hands in worship, praise, and dependence to see the new things that He will do! On the difficult days, remember, Jesus freely opened both of His hands for you!


                "The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
                                                        C.S. Lewis