We are God’s hands and feet

Sisters and brothers, got a favorite tool in the garage or kitchen? A fishing pole that always catches fish? Someone, with a whole lot of creativity, designed those tools, didn’t they? The Great Creator of all time designed you and me. Ephesians 2:10 informs us “we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Our Lord has no body here but ours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. We are the eyes through which He looks with compassion on this world. We all have different functions. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Are you shy, reserved? I have a very special friend who inspires me. Her name is “Bonnie” (originally, Bonita, meaning pretty). She does a “pretty” darn good job of being an “ambassador for Christ - allowing God to make His appeal though her.” (2Cor. 5:20) She regularly goes down to the local post office and weeds their flower beds. If the Holy Spirit presents her with an opportunity to speak to someone, she will. Friends, if the gospel we preach (with our actions) does not work in the everyday world, then it is not the Gospel. Jesus showed the great Apostle Peter that our job is to wash feet, depending on us to do the very things He did while upon earth. (Jn 13:1-17)

If that person you encounter is not appealing, and you’d like to pass them by, reread the story of “The Good Samaritan” to get pumped up. (Lk 10:25-37) Each one of us is a part of Christ’s body. If we’re not the sharpest tool in the drawer, we’re in the drawer. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

In Germany, during WW II, a church was totally destroyed except for a statue of Jesus Christ that was almost unharmed. The hands of the statue were missing. Rebuilding the church, a famous sculptor offered to replace the hands. The people of the church refused declaring, “Christ has no hands but ours to do His work. If we don’t feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, entertain the stranger, visit the imprisoned, and clothe the naked, who will?” (Heb 13:2-3) Do we?

I believe it could be very special, to the needy, for us to come in addition to our Lord. Perhaps, people will see more of a miracle as His love flows through us. Let love be genuine as we are the extension of the greatest love to the needs of others so as “to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14)

I pray these thoughts and quotes are a blessing, encouragement, and inspiration to you. May God grant us open eyes, open minds, open hands and open hearts, so that we can continually be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ here on earth. May God’s Spirit bless us with the right resources to always be ready – emotionally, physically, financially, and otherwise, so the needs of others are met in any way He calls us. “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)