Yesterday morning was one of those mornings where the moment you open your eyes, you know full well that you’re going to stay horizontal just a little bit longer. At least, it was for me. I woke up still somewhat tired, with a bit of a remnant headache from a recent concussion. I saw the day outside and just enjoyed laying there for a moment looking at the bare branches outside, the cloudy sky overhead, snuggled under a heavy knitted blanket. I savored those few moments but unfortunately let myself remain like that past the threshold of “Oh, this is a nice time for a few cozy moments before I start the day” into the territory of “Well, I mean, do I really need to get up right now?”
Fortunately, right as I was beginning to wonder exactly how much time I had spent just laying there, my husband walked over to me and extended out his hand. He asked, “Need a hand up?” I reached up, took hold, and slowly pulled myself up with only the slightest amount of vertigo.
I don’t know how long I might have let myself lay there had he not walked over to me and gave me not only the suggestion to rise, but also offered his hand to help me do so.
This is a minor illustration, I feel, of how we all have the opportunity to respond to the Lord every day. I believe the Lord is always reaching out, showing His love and inviting His relationship to all of us. This includes those who don’t yet know Him or even know about Him. I would say these folks likely might not recognize the hand for what it is. Others may take hold sometimes, but never really consider whose hand it is.
For those of us who do know God or at least believe in Him, I think sometimes we may see the hand reaching out but have “our” reasons we don’t take hold. We may doubt He can really pull us up or out of the reality we are facing (Zephaniah 3:17). We may wonder what will come after that point (Psalm 55:22). We may even see Him as an enemy of sorts, threatening our current state of comfort or contented apathy (James 4:17). Perhaps we think we are doing just fine without it (Proverbs 28:6).
But our God is not someone who reaches out His hand as a trick or to pull us from something better into something worse. He is always and only reaching out in love as a means to help. As a means to something better, even when we cannot know what that entails. And His presence in itself is the far greatest thing.
When you sense the Lord reaching out, try to keep any pride at bay. Try to gratefully take hold as He offers you a better way, a boost, a lift toward His desired way of living and a tug toward Himself. Even if it means giving up what we see as comfortable or preferable through our so-human eyes.
Likewise, if God is asking you to be His hand for someone in some way today, allow yourself to be used. And, remember, your approach and attitude really does matter as much as the act itself. Humble obedience to the Lord, without a prideful heart about your service to another, with discernment, love and intentionality evident in your words and actions. Consider that we are all brothers and sisters called to serve the Lord through service to one another, rather than being seen as some hero or being right about a situation. Philippians 2:3-4 tells us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”
My husband knew I needed a bit more rest yesterday morning, but he also somehow knew when I was past that point and needed a loving prompt and a hand up. Without me even needing to say anything. I believe our God is much the same in that He knows what we need without us even saying a word, or without perhaps our even realizing what those real needs are. God knows our true needs, even when we have a worldly, fleshly perspective and idea of what our “needs” are. He knows us better than we know ourselves.
May God give you what you need today, what you really need. I know that in some way, He is reaching out to you today to draw you in, closer to Him. I hope you take hold, and allow Him to bring you ever closer into His presence.
Psalm 145:14, HLC
sacred strokes 