GIVE ME A HAND?

We are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together ^[k]by what every joint supplies, according to the ^[l]proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15b,16

I did a lot of things, as a kid, that I thought were funny, but my dad… not so much. For example, he would sincerely ask, “Hey Mike, would you give me a hand?” And like a wise guy, I would start to clap. Not exactly the ‘hand’ my dad was hoping or looking for.

Often times, pastors and lay-leaders get the same kind of ‘hand’. Time and again they hear people say “That a boy.”, when they were hoping to hear them offer “What can I do?” Feelings of being abandoned, frustrated, used, ignored start to take a toll. Unity is undermined. The development of ‘team spirit’ is dampened. Instead of growing and building up the Body of Christ, the cause of Christ is weighed down in spirit. Progress, growth, is hindered.

Our Heavenly Father’s appeal is clear. The ‘WHOLE’ body is to be fitted together by what ‘EVERY’ joint (person) supplies according to the proper working of ‘EACH’ individual part! Don’t stand on the sidelines of ministry clapping. Rather, by the grace of God, give your hands to the work of the Kingdom.

Remember, the greatest ‘hand of encouragement’ isn’t a ‘pat on the back’; it’s ‘putting your hand to the plow’!